Sitaram Yechury, CPI(M) Leader and Delhi's Favorite Comrade, Dies at 72

Sitaram Yechury, CPI(M) General Secretary, died at 72 due to pneumonia. A prominent leftist leader, he rose from student politics to lead his party, forging alliances with opposition parties. Known for his accommodative approach and oratory skills, Yechury was respected across party lines, leaving a lasting impact on Indian politics.

Sitaram Yechury, the General Secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and a prominent figure in Indian politics, passed away on Thursday at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi. He was 72 years old.

AIIMS officials confirmed that Yechury, who had been admitted on August 19, succumbed to pneumonia. In a final act of service to science and education, his family has donated his body to AIIMS for research and teaching purposes.

Yechury's political journey began nearly five decades ago as a student leader at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). He rose through the ranks of the CPI(M), eventually becoming the party's chief in 2015. Under his leadership, the party entered into its first pre-poll alliance with the Congress and other opposition parties, forming the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) in 2023.

Known for his affable nature and ability to work across party lines, Yechury maintained strong relationships with key Congress leaders, including Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. His moderate approach often put him at odds with more hardline elements within his own party, particularly during debates over supporting the Congress-led UPA government.

Despite the CPI(M)'s declining electoral fortunes in recent years, Yechury's personal stature remained high in opposition circles. He was instrumental in many key political moments, including the formation of the UPA government in 2004.

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Yechury was renowned for his oratorical skills and intellectual depth. Former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley once praised him for raising the level of debate in the Rajya Sabha, where Yechury served until 2017.

As news of his passing spread, tributes poured in from across the political spectrum, remembering Yechury as a stalwart of the Left movement and a respected voice in Indian politics. His loss marks the end of an era for the CPI(M) and leaves a significant void in the landscape of Indian opposition politics.