Former CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury Passes Away At 72

Sitaram Yechury, former General Secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and Rajya Sabha MP, passed away on Thursday at the age of 72 after battling a prolonged illness.

He had been receiving treatment for an acute respiratory tract infection in the intensive care unit at AIIMS, Delhi, and had been on respiratory support for several days.

Yechury, a prominent figure in Indian left-wing politics, took over as CPI(M) General Secretary in 2015, succeeding Prakash Karat. He was known for his astute political strategies and his role in shaping the party’s stance on key national issues.

He learned the ropes from senior party leader Harkishan Singh Surjeet, who played a pivotal role in coalition politics during the National Front government under V.P. Singh and the United Front government in the mid-1990s.

Yechury’s influence grew during this period, particularly as the CPI(M) offered crucial outside support to these governments.

Under Yechury’s leadership, the Left parties played a significant role during the first UPA government, often pressuring the Congress-led regime on policy matters. One of his most prominent political moves came during the Indo-US nuclear deal negotiations.

He was a key player in discussions with the government before the Left withdrew support from the UPA-I, a move driven by Prakash Karat’s firm stance on the deal.

Yechury’s journey in politics began with the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) in 1974. Just a year later, he became a member of the CPI(M).

During the Emergency, Yechury was arrested and spent several months in jail, marking the beginning of his enduring commitment to political activism.

His passing marks the end of a significant chapter in India’s left-wing political landscape.