Veteran CPI(M) Leader Sitaram Yechury Passes Away at 72
New Delhi: Communist Party of India (Marxist) veteran Sitaram Yechury passed away on Thursday, September 12, 2024, at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi. He was 72 years old. Yechury had been admitted to the hospital on August 19 with symptoms resembling pneumonia and had been on respiratory support for several days. His passing was confirmed at 3:03 p.m.
Born on August 12, 1952, Yechury was serving his third term as the General Secretary of CPI(M), a position he had held since 2015. Throughout his career, Yechury was a steadfast advocate for the party’s ideals and left an indelible mark on Indian politics.
In one of his final public appearances, Yechury, from his hospital bed, paid a heartfelt tribute to former West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, who had passed away just days earlier. On August 22, Yechury shared an emotional video message saying, “It’s deeply saddening that I have to send my revolutionary Lal Salaam to Buddho Da from AIIMS.”
Following the news of Yechury’s demise, tributes flooded in from all corners of the political spectrum. Known for his strong presence in the Rajya Sabha, where he served two terms, Yechury was respected by colleagues across party lines for his intellect, commitment, and enduring friendship.
Yechury’s passing marks the end of an era for CPI(M), as the party bids farewell to one of its most prominent and dedicated leaders.
