Veteran Left leader and CPI (M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury died this afternoon after battling pneumonia. The veteran leader was 72 and was admitted to Delhi’s All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).
The CPM leader was admitted to the emergency ward of AIIMS on August 19 and later shifted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). AIIMS said Sitaram Yechury was admitted to the hospital with pneumonia and he died at 3:05 pm today. The hospital said Mr Yechury’s family has donated his body to AIIMS, New Delhi for teaching and research purposes.
Political leaders across party lines expressed condolences to his family. Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, said, “Sitaram Yechury ji was a friend. A protector of the Idea of India with a deep understanding of our country.”
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. pic.twitter.com/6GUuWdmHFj
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) September 12, 2024
“I will miss the long discussions we used to have. My sincere condolences to his family, friends, and followers in this hour of grief,” Mr Gandhi said.
Union Road Transport and Highways Minister, Nitin Gadkari, said Mr Yechury’s “contributions to public life will always be remembered”.
Deeply saddened by the passing of Sitaram Yechury Ji. His contributions to public life will always be remembered. Heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones during this difficult time. Om Shanti.
— Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) September 12, 2024
“Heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones during this difficult time. Om Shanti,” Mr Gadkari added.
“I am deeply saddened by the tragic demise of veteran CPM leader, Sitaram Yechury ji. We had many years of working relations in the Parliament. Extending my deepest condolences to his family, colleagues and admirers,” Union Minister Kiren Rijiju mourned the veteran leader’s death.
“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,” West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said.
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.
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) September 12, 2024
“I express my condolences to his family, friends and colleagues,” Ms Banerjee said.
“The demise of CPI (M) General Secretary and senior leader Sitaram Yechury ji is an irreparable loss to Indian politics,” Congress said.
CPI(M) के महासचिव और वरिष्ठ नेता सीताराम येचुरी जी का निधन भारतीय राजनीति के लिए एक अपूरणीय क्षति है।
ईश्वर दिवंगत आत्मा को अपने श्री चरणों में स्थान दें और शोकाकुल परिजनों को यह दुख सहने की शक्ति प्रदान करें।
श्रद्धांजलि ?? pic.twitter.com/73p6RaJidR
— Congress (@INCIndia) September 12, 2024
“May God give place to the departed soul in his lotus feet and give strength to the bereaved family to bear this sorrow,” the party said.
A member of the Politburo, CPM’s top decision-making body, for over three decades, Mr Yechury was a member of the Rajya Sabha from 2005 to 2017.
An alumnus of Delhi’s St Stephen’s College and Jawaharlal Nehru University, Mr Yechury started 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 imposed the Emergency in 1975 and he was arrested along with many other leaders who would later play a key role in national politics. His PhD remained incomplete.
