Lucknow: Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader Uma Shankar Singh, the party’s only Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) in Uttar Pradesh, passed away on Wednesday evening after a prolonged battle with a brain tumour. He was 55 years old and was undergoing treatment at a private hospital in New Delhi.
Passed Away After Prolonged Illness
According to BSP leaders, Singh breathed his last at around 8:30 pm after months of treatment. His death marks a significant loss for the BSP, which now has no representation in the 403-member Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly.
Three-Time MLA from Rasra
Uma Shankar Singh represented the Rasra Assembly constituency in Ballia district. He was first elected to the Uttar Pradesh Assembly in 2012 and successfully retained the seat in the 2017 and 2022 Assembly elections.
Before entering mainstream politics, Singh began his public life as a student leader and served as the general secretary of the students’ union at Satish Chandra College in Ballia during 1990–91.
Condolences Pour In
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed grief over Singh’s demise, calling it “extremely heartbreaking.” He offered condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for peace to the departed soul.
BSP chief Mayawati also mourned his passing, describing him as a dedicated, honest, and completely loyal party leader. She said no words could adequately describe his commitment to the party and revealed that she had remained in regular contact with Singh’s family during his treatment.
Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav also paid tribute, extending condolences to Singh’s family and supporters.
Political Significance
Singh’s death is a major setback for the BSP, which had already witnessed a sharp decline in its electoral strength in Uttar Pradesh over the past decade. As the party’s lone MLA in the state Assembly, he played a crucial role in representing the BSP’s voice on legislative issues.
His passing is expected to trigger a by-election in the Rasra constituency, subject to the Election Commission’s schedule.
Legacy
Known for his accessibility and strong grassroots connect in Ballia district, Uma Shankar Singh earned respect across party lines. His political journey—from student leader to three-time MLA—made him one of the BSP’s most prominent leaders in eastern Uttar Pradesh.
His demise leaves a significant void in both the Bahujan Samaj Party and Uttar Pradesh politics.
