Sitaram Yechury Passes Away at 72 After Battling Pneumonia
Sitaram Yechury, a senior leader of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), passed away this afternoon. He was 72 and undergoing treatment for pneumonia at Delhi’s All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). He was admitted to AIIMS on August 19 and later moved to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
AIIMS confirmed his passing at 3:05 pm today. His family has donated his body to the institute for research and educational purposes. His body will remain at AIIMS for two days before being moved to the CPM headquarters, AKG Bhavan, for his admirers to pay respects.
Family and Personal Life
Yechury leaves behind his wife, journalist Seema Chishti, daughter Akhila, and son Daanish. Tragically, his son Ashish passed away in 2021 due to COVID-19.
Political Journey
Yechury played a pivotal role in CPM’s leadership. A member of the Politburo, he served as a Rajya Sabha MP from 2005 to 2017. His political career began with the Students’ Federation of India, and he joined the CPM in 1975 during the Emergency. His PhD in Economics from Jawaharlal Nehru University remained incomplete due to his arrest during this period.
He rose through the ranks, becoming a Politburo member in 1992. He was instrumental in drafting the United Front government’s Common Minimum Programme and helped form the UPA government in 2004. Recently, he played a key role in uniting opposition parties under the INDIA bloc.
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Tributes Pour In
Leaders across the political spectrum expressed their condolences. The CPM tweeted, “Our beloved comrade Sitaram Yechury passed away today. Red Salute to Comrade Yechury.”
Rahul Gandhi called him a “friend” and a “protector of the Idea of India,” recalling their insightful discussions. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said Yechury’s contributions to public life would be remembered, while Defence Minister Rajnath Singh shared his personal memories, describing him as a friend and seasoned parliamentarian. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav also expressed their grief.
Yechury’s passing marks the end of an era in Indian politics. His dedication to public service and ability to forge alliances made him a respected figure across party lines.
