Veteran Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader and CPM General Secretary, Sitaram Yechury, passed away on Wednesday afternoon at the age of 72. Yechury had been undergoing treatment for pneumonia at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi. He was admitted to the emergency ward of AIIMS on August 19 and was later moved to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
According to an official statement from AIIMS, Yechury breathed his last at 3:05 pm. In a gesture of altruism, his family has donated his body to AIIMS for teaching and research purposes. The body will remain at AIIMS for two days before being moved to AKG Bhavan, the CPM headquarters, where his comrades and admirers will be able to pay their respects. Following this, the body will be returned to AIIMS.
Yechury was a prominent figure in the CPM, having been a member of the party’s highest decision-making body, the Politburo, for more than three decades. He also served as a Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament from 2005 to 2017, contributing significantly to the political discourse in the country.
Sitaram Yechury was an alumnus of St. Stephen’s College and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in Delhi. He began his political journey with the Students’ Federation of India and joined the CPM in 1975. Yechury was pursuing a doctorate in Economics at JNU when the Indira Gandhi government imposed the Emergency in 1975. During this period, he was arrested along with several other leaders who would later become influential figures in Indian politics. Due to this arrest, his PhD remained incomplete.
After his release from jail, Yechury was elected President of the JNU Students’ Union three times within a year. It was during this period that he met Prakash Karat, who would go on to be a lifelong comrade in the CPM.
In 1992, Yechury was elected to the CPM’s Politburo. Four years later, he played a pivotal role in drafting a Common Minimum Programme for the United Front government, which aimed at bringing together diverse political groups. He also played a key role in the formation of the ruling coalition for the UPA government in 2004, further solidifying his reputation as a seasoned strategist.
Leaders from across the political spectrum expressed their condolences over Yechury’s passing. Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, described Yechury as a “friend” and “a protector of the Idea of India.” Gandhi noted, “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.”
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari also expressed his grief, stating, “I am deeply saddened by the passing of Sitaram Yechury. His contributions to public life will always be remembered. Heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones during this difficult time. Om Shanti.”
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee shared her sorrow as well, saying, “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 national politics. I express my condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues.”
Sitaram Yechury’s passing marks the end of an era for the CPM and the Left movement in India. His unwavering commitment to his ideals and his role in shaping the political landscape of the country over the decades will be remembered by his comrades, supporters, and political opponents alike. His contributions to Indian politics, particularly his efforts to forge alliances and build coalitions, showcased his deep understanding of India’s political fabric and his strategic acumen.
As his body lies in state at the CPM headquarters, AKG Bhavan, and later at AIIMS, it is evident that Sitaram Yechury’s life and work have left an indelible mark on the nation’s political history.
