Bhubaneswar: Veteran CPI(M) leader and General Secretary Sitaram Yechury passed away on Thursday at the age of 72. Yechury had been undergoing treatment for an acute respiratory tract infection at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi.
Admitted to AIIMS on August 19 due to a severe pneumonia-like chest infection, Yechury had been in the intensive care unit, receiving treatment from a multi-disciplinary team. Despite the efforts of the medical staff, the prominent leftist leader succumbed to his illness.
Yechury is survived by his wife, Indrani Mazumdar, and their two children. His elder son, Ashish Yechury, had tragically passed away in 2021.
A towering figure in Indian leftist politics, Yechury had been at the helm of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) since 2015, succeeding Prakash Karat. He was re-elected for a second term in 2018, further cementing his role as a stalwart of the CPI(M). Yechury had been a member of the party’s Politburo, its highest decision-making body, for more than three decades.
In his final public appearance, Yechury shared a video message from his hospital bed, paying tribute to his long-time colleague and former West Bengal Chief Minister, Buddhadeb Bhattacharya, who passed away the previous month. Due to his illness, Yechury was unable to attend Bhattacharya’s funeral.
Yechury’s death marks the end of an era for the Indian Left. A fierce defender of secularism and socialism, he was known for his intellectual acumen, sharp political insights, and relentless advocacy for the working class.
Nationwide Condolences
Condolences poured in from across the political spectrum following the news of Yechury’s death. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressed his grief, saying, “Sitaram Yechury ji was a friend. 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.”
The Students’ Federation of India (SFI), the CPI(M)’s student wing, also paid homage to the late leader, stating, “ADIEUCOMRADE Sitaram Yechury. The Students’ Federation of India dips its banner in honour of our beloved comrade, former All India President of SFI and General Secretary of CPI(M), Sitaram Yechury.”