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New Delhi: Born into one of Uttar Pradesh’s most influential political families, Prateek Yadav chose to stay away from public life despite being the son of Samajwadi Party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav. However, Prateek came into the spotlight over the years.

Prateek Yadav was born in 1988 to party worker Sadhna Gupta during Mulayam Singh Yadav’s long-secret relationship with her. For years, he was believed to be the son of Sadhna’s first husband, Chandraprakash Gupta, and even his school records reportedly did not mention his father’s name.

Prateek is the son of Mulayam Singh Yadav’s second wife, Sadhna Gupta, and was born in 1988. For years, he was believed to be the son of Sadhna’s first husband, Chandraprakash Gupta, and even his school records reportedly did not mention his father’s name.

After the death of Mulayam’s first wife, Malti Devi, in 2003, the family dynamics changed as the SP patriarch publicly acknowledged his relationship with Sadhna and accepted Prateek as his son. The revelation sparked intense political and personal discussions within the Yadav family, particularly around succession in the Samajwadi Party.

Over time, informal factions emerged within the party, one supporting Akhilesh Yadav, Mulayam’s son from his first marriage, and another seen as aligned with Sadhna Gupta and her influence over the SP founder. The divide also deepened tensions between Akhilesh Yadav and Mulayam’s brother, Shivpal Singh Yadav.

In 2012, some Samajwadi Party workers reportedly demanded that he contest the 2014 Lok Sabha election from Azamgarh, a proposal also backed by Sadhna Gupta and Shivpal Yadav, but the plan never materialised. In 2016, his name resurfaced in political discussions after documents linked to a disproportionate assets case investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) reportedly confirmed his parentage in proceedings before the Supreme Court. Yet, Prateek continued to avoid active politics.

Prateek Yadav married Aparna Yadav in 2011 after years of courtship. Their wedding drew considerable public attention. Aparna later entered politics and, in 2022, joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), praising the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. In 2024, she was appointed Vice Chairperson of the Uttar Pradesh State Commission for Women.

Her switch to the BJP reignited discussions about tensions within the Yadav family. Both Aparna and Sadhna Gupta were often accused by critics of contributing to divisions within the Samajwadi Party and the Yadav household.

Prateek accused his wife publicly

In January this year, Prateek publicly posted on Instagram, accusing Aparna of damaging family relationships and affecting his mental health, while also hinting at divorce. However, days later, he announced that the couple had reconciled.

Though he remained distant from frontline politics throughout his life, Prateek’s death in Lucknow at the age of 38 prompted condolences from across political circles. Among the first to pay tribute was Akhilesh Yadav, who described the loss as extremely heartbreaking and prayed for peace for the departed soul.