Sitaram Yechury, veteran Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader, dies at 72

Sitaram Yechury, a veteran leader of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), passed away after a prolonged illness a little after 3 pm on Thursday. He was 72 years old.

Yechury was being treated for an acute respiratory tract infection at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi. He was admitted to the intensive care unit on August 19 with pneumonia.

Yechury is survived by his wife Seema Chishti, son Danish, daughter Akhila and brother Shankar. His eldest son Ashish Yechury died of Covid-19 in 2021.

In recent days, he had been receiving respiratory support and care from a multidisciplinary team of doctors.

In a statement, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences said he had donated his body to science.

Yechury’s last address to the public came on August 22 in the form of a video message that he recorded from hospital to pay tribute to his party colleague and former West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, who passed away on August 8, reported The Hindu.

Yechury had succeeded Prakash Karat as the general secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) in 2015.

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) expressed “profound grief” at Yechury’s passing.

“The untimely demise of Sitaram Yechury at this crucial juncture in our national politics is a big blow to the CPI(M) and a grievous loss for the Left, democratic and secular forces,” the party said in a statement.

It added: “The Polit Bureau pays respectful homage to our beloved colleague and dips the red banner in his memory. The Polit Bureau calls upon all Party ranks to unite and work harder to advance the struggle for an exploitation-free society. This is the best tribute that can be paid to him.”

Yechury was born on August 12, 1952, in Chennai.

During his college years, he was active in student politics. At Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru University, he became an influential leader of the Students’ Federation of India.

“Students’ Federation of India dips its banner in honour of our beloved comrade,” the group wrote on X.

Yechury was a Rajya Sabha MP for 12 years from 2005 to 2017.

He also played a key role in stitching together the Opposition INDIA bloc ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections to take on the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was saddened by the passing away of Yechury.

“He was a leading light of the Left and was known for his ability to connect across the political spectrum,” Modi said on social media. “He also made a mark as an effective parliamentarian. My thoughts are with his family and admirers in this sad hour. Om Shanti.”

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that Yechury’s death “leaves an irreplaceable void in the Communist movement and people’s struggles”.

“I cherish the moments we shared and his unmatched ideological clarity, strategic brilliance, and dedication to the revolutionary cause,” Vijayan, a CPI(M) leader, wrote. “Amid rising inequality and threats to secular and constitutional ideals, his legacy will inspire us to keep fighting for a just India.”

BJP leader and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that he was pained by the passing of Yechury.

“In his long years in public life, he distinguished himself as a seasoned parliamentarian who was known for his knowledge and articulation,” Singh wrote on X. “He was also my friend with whom I had several interactions. I will always recall my interactions with him. Condolences to his bereaved family and supporters. Om Shanti!”

“Sitaram Yechury ji was a friend,” Congress leader Rahul Gandhi wrote on social media. “A protector of the ‘Idea of India’ with a deep understanding of our country. I will miss the long discussions we used to have. My sincere condolences to his family, friends, and followers in this hour of grief.”

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also extended his condolences. He described Yechury as a humble leader “who chartered the unique territory of balancing personal equations with unflinching political ideologies”.

Yechury’s death is “great loss for all the liberal forces, for he was the collective conscience keeper of progressives”, Kharge said.

D Raja, the general secretary of the Communist Party of India, also expressed his grief at the death of Yechury. “Sitaram was one of the most outstanding leaders of the Left and communist movement in contemporary times,” Raja wrote on X.

Raja recalled his decades-long collaboration with Yechury that spanned student movements, the United Front coalition, the United Progressive Alliance government and fostering unity among Left and democratic forces.

“Sitaram Yechury was a lucid writer, able parliamentarian and a capable leader,” Raja said. “His loss will be felt in Left and democratic circles. My heartfelt tributes to Comrade Sitaram. My condolences to his family and the CPI(M).”

Trinamool Congress chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on social media: “Sad to know that Sri Sitaram Yechury has passed away. I knew the veteran parliamentarian that he was and his demise will be a loss for the national politics. I express my condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.”

“Deeply saddened by the passing of Sitaram Yechury Ji,” wrote BJP leader and Union minister Nitin Gadkari. “His contributions to public life will always be remembered. Heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones during this difficult time. Om Shanti.”

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh described Yechury as a “very fine human being, a multilingual bibliophile, an unrepentant Marxist with a pragmatic streak”.

He said that Yechury was “admired for the strength of his convictions and for his most engaging personality”.

Parliamentary Affairs minister Kiran Rijiju also said that he was saddened by the demise of the CPI(M) leader. “We had many years of working relations in the Parliament,” he wrote on X. “Extending my deepest condolences to his family, colleagues and admirers.”