Sitaram Yechury: Veteran Marxist Leader and Influential Politician Dies at 72
New Delhi: Sitaram Yechury, a key figure in Indian politics and a long-serving leader of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPIM), has passed away at the age of 72. Yechury, who served as the party’s general secretary three times, died after battling an acute respiratory infection. He was receiving treatment at the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi, where he had been admitted recently.
Influential Political Career
Over the past five decades, Yechury significantly influenced both the CPIM and the broader Indian political landscape. He played a crucial role in crafting the Common Minimum Programme for the United Front government in 1996 and was instrumental in the coalition-building that led to the formation of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government in 2004. His contributions earned him a reputation as a key strategist and a successor to veteran leader Harkishan Singh Surjeet.
Early Activism and Political Rise
Yechury’s engagement with Marxist ideology began during his student years at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), where he pursued a master’s degree in Economics. Alongside Prakash Karat, Yechury helped establish a strong Leftist presence at JNU. His activism led to his imprisonment during the Emergency period in 1975. Later, he became a prominent leader within the CPIM’s student wing, the Students’ Federation of India, serving as its president three times.
Leadership and Contributions
In 2015, Yechury succeeded Prakash Karat as the general secretary of the CPIM, a role he held for three terms. He was recognized for his efforts to revive the party’s fortunes in Bengal and Kerala, managing complex challenges and strategizing for the party’s future.
Tributes and Condolences
Yechury’s passing has been met with tributes from across the political spectrum, reflecting his ability to build personal connections despite political differences. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh praised Yechury as a “multilingual bibliophile, an unrepentant Marxist with a pragmatic streak, and a superb parliamentarian with a wonderful wit and sense of humor.” Ramesh highlighted their extensive collaboration over three decades, underscoring Yechury’s significant impact and engaging personality.
Legacy
Sitaram Yechury’s death marks a significant moment in Indian politics, closing a chapter of influential Marxist leadership. His legacy as a thinker, leader, and strategist will be remembered for its substantial contributions to the nation’s political discourse.
