NEW DELHI: Veteran leader of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), Sitaram Yechury, passed away at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Delhi on Thursday. He was 72.

Mr.Yechury was admitted to the hospital on Aug 19 with “pneumonia-like” symptoms and was on respiratory support for the past few days. He died at 3:03pm.

Born on Aug 12, 1952, Mr. Yechury was serving his third term as CPI(M) general secretary, a post to which he was elected in 2015. In one of his last video messages from the hospital room, Mr. Yechury paid tribute to former West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee on Aug 22. In an emotional farewell message to the former CM who had passed away a few days before, Mr. Yechury said, “It’s most unfortunate that I had to connect from AIIMS to convey my feelings, emotions and revolutionary Lal Salaam to Buddho Da.”

Tributes poured from across the political spectrum for Mr. Yechury, a two-term Rajya Sabha MP who had friends across the aisle, The Hindu said. The CPI(M) Political Bureau in a statement said that his untimely demise at “this crucial juncture in our national politics is a big blow for the CPI(M) and a grievous loss for the Left, democratic and secular forces.”

Expressing condolences to his family and colleagues, President Droupadi Murmu said that he had a “distinct and influential voice”. “Though a committed ideologue, he won friends cutting across the party lines.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi too echoed the sentiment and said Mr. Yechury was known for his ability to “connect across the political spectrum.” Calling him a leading light of the Left, Mr. Modi said Mr. Yechury made a mark as an “effective Parliamentarian.”

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi who was very close to Mr. Yechury, their proximity often earning the two opprobria from their respective parties, referred to him as a “friend”. He called him a “protector of the idea of India with a deep understanding of our country”. Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi fondly remembered her friendship with Mr. Yechury, that began with United Progressive Alliance’s first term in 2004-09.

He is survived by his wife Seema Chishti, son Danish and daughter Akhila. His elder son, Ashish Yechury, succumbed to Covid-19 in 2021. His body will be kept at the CPI(M) headquarters in Delhi on September 14 for public viewing.

Published in Dawn, September 13th, 2024