CPI(M) general secretary and former Rajya Sabha MP Sitaram Yechury passed away on Thursday following prolonged illness. He was 72 and underwent treatment for respiratory problems at Delhi’s All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).
The CPM leader arrived at AIIMS on August 19 and was hospitalised in the emergency ward before being shifted to the intensive care unit (ICU).
In a statement, the AIIMS stated that Yechury died at 3:05 PM today. His family has donated his body to AIIMS for use in research and education.
His body will be at AIIMS for two days now and then shifted to AKG Bhavan, the CPM headquarters, so that his supporters and comrades can pay their respects. The body will then be moved back to AIIMS.
Yechury is survived by his son Daanish, daughter Akhila and wife Seema Chishti, a distinguished journalist. Ashish Yechury, his 34-year-old son, passed away from COVID-19 in 2021.
His Background
Yechury was a Rajya Sabha MP from 2005 to 2017 and served as a member of the CPM Politburo, the party’s highest decision-making body, for over 30 years.
After graduating from Jawaharlal Nehru University and St. Stephen’s College in Delhi, Yechury began his political career with the Students’ Federation of India and joined the CPIM in 1975.
He was pursuing his doctorate in Economics from JNU when the Indira Gandhi government declared the Emergency in 1975 and he was arrested along with many other leaders who would later play a major part in national politics. His PhD remained incomplete.
After being released from prison, Yechury ran for president of the JNU Student Union multiple times in a year. He also met Prakash Karat at this time, who would go on to be a lifetime friend.
He became a member of the Politburo in 1992. He was one of the primary figures in the drafting of the United Front government’s Common Minimum Programme four years later. Additionally, Yechury was instrumental in the formation of the UPA government’s ruling alliance in 2004.
Due to his solid relationships with politicians from all political parties, the seasoned leader was a vital player in the formation of alliances. More recently, he was one of the key leaders at the top when Opposition parties came together under the INDIA bloc.
Leaders’ Condole
Rahul Gandhi, Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, expressed his condolences, describing him as a “friend” and a “protector of the Idea of India.”
“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,” he said in a post.
The passing of Sitaram Yechury “deeply saddened” Union Minister Nitin Gadkari.
Taking to X (formally Twitter), he said, “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 also expressed her condolences. “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,” she said in a post.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav stated the passing of Yechury is very heartbreaking. “May God grant peace to his soul and give his family members strength to bear this grief,” he said.
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