CPI-M Chief Yechury Dies At 72

Yechury succeeded Prakash Karat as the CPI-M chief in 2015, after being a member of its Politburo, the top decision-making body, for over three decades. He was also a member of the Rajya Sabha from 2005 to 2017

New Delhi: Veteran political leader and CPI-M General Secretary Sitaram Yechury, who was undergoing treatment at the intensive care unit at the AIIMS here, passed away on Thursday. He was 72.

“Sitaram Yechury, aged 72, was admitted to AIIMS on 19th August 2024 with pneumonia and passed away on 12th September 2024 at 3.05 p.m.,” the AIIMS said in a release. The family has donated his body to AIIMS, New Delhi for teaching and research purposes, it added.

The CPI-M said: “It is with profound grief that we announce the passing away of CPIM General Secretary, our beloved Comrade Sitaram Yechury, at 3.03 pm today, 12th September, at the AIIMS, New Delhi. He was suffering from a respiratory tract infection which developed complications.”

“We thank the doctors, nursing staff and the Director of the Institute for the excellent treatment and care extended to Comrade Yechury. Details of public viewing and homage will be informed”, it added.

Yechury succeeded Prakash Karat as the CPI-M chief in 2015, after being a member of its Politburo, the top decision-making body, for over three decades. He was also a member of the Rajya Sabha from 2005 to 2017.

Condolences and tributes from leaders across the political spectrum poured in, describing his demise as a major loss. In Kerala, the party flag at the state party headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram was lowered. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the late leader had good links with all and “was a respected and liked personality even by his political detractors”.

Terming Yechury a friend, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said that he was “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 on X.

“ADIEU COMRADE Sitaram Yechury Students’ Federation of India dips its banner in honour of our beloved comrade, former All India President of SFI and General Secretary of CPI(M), Sitaram Yechury,” the party’s student wing said on X.