New Delhi, Oct 10 (UNI) Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress President Sonia Gandhi and part leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday condoled the death of Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav.

Manomohan Singh, in a condolence letter to his son Akhilesh Yadav, called him an icon of the socialist movement.

"He was a leader of high esteem who was respected by everybody irrespective of party lines. He was an icon of the socialist movement and had been elected to the Uttar Pradesh Assembly and to the Lok Sabha several times.

"He served as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and also Union Minister many times. He was a great parliamentarian and a distinguished administrator who devoted his whole life to the service of the poor and other backward communities," he said in his letter.

Sonia Gandhi said she was grieved at the news of passing away of Mulayam Singh.

"A vocal voice of socialist ideas fell silent today. As the Defence Minister of the country and the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, the contribution of Mulayam Singhji will always be unforgettable. More than that, his struggle for the oppressed and downtrodden will always be remembered," she said.

"Whenever there was a need to protect the constitutional values of the country, the Congress has always got his support," she said.

Sonia Gandhi offered condolences to Akhilesh Yadav and his family members.

Rahul Gandhi said in his condolence message: "He was a true warrior associated with grassroots politics. I express my deepest condolences to all the bereaved family members including Akhilesh Yadav."

After a prolonged illness, Samajwadi Party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav died on Monday at age 82.