Veteran communist leader Sitaram Yechury dies at 72

New Delhi: Veteran leader of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) dies at the age of 72 following prolonged illness for which is was undergoing treatment. He was serving as the General Secretary of the CPI(M) when he breathed his last on Thurday.

The stalwart leader was suffering from acute respiratory tract infection and was receiving treatement for the same at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi.

Who was Sitaram Yechury?

Sitaram Yechury, a prominent Indian Marxist politician, was the General Secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) and a key member of its Politburo since 1992. A stalwart of Indian leftist politics, Yechury served as a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha representing West Bengal from 2005 to 2017, playing a pivotal role in shaping the ideological landscape of his party.

Inside Sitaram Yechury's political career

Yechury's political career began in 1974 when he joined the Students' Federation of India (SFI), a student wing of the CPI(M). Just a year later, he formally became a member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist). His activism intensified during the tumultuous period of the Emergency in India (1975-1977). Yechury, then a student at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), was arrested for his opposition to the regime. Before his arrest, he went underground and actively organized resistance against the oppressive government.

In the post-Emergency period, Yechury's leadership blossomed. He was elected President of the JNU Students' Union three times during 1977-78. Along with Prakash Karat, another Marxist leader, Yechury played a critical role in establishing JNU as a bastion of leftist thought, a stronghold that persists to this day.

Tenure as CPI(M)'s General Secretary

Yechury's tenure as General Secretary was marked by his re-election at successive party congresses. In 2018, he was re-elected during the 22nd Party Congress held in Hyderabad, and once again in 2022 at the 23rd Party Congress in Kannur, Kerala. His leadership was defined by his unwavering commitment to Marxist ideology, his efforts to expand the CPI(M)'s influence, and his active role in India's opposition politics.

Sitaram Yechury's career was one of steadfast dedication to Marxist principles and the working class. His influence on leftist politics in India is undeniable, having shaped both the party and its stance on various national issues for decades. As a leader, he was known for his intellectual rigor, organizational skills, and deep commitment to socialist ideals.