CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury passed away on Thursday afternoon. He had been admitted to AIIMS hospital in Delhi on September 19 due to a lung infection. Over the past several days, Yechury had been receiving treatment on a ventilator, but his health deteriorated, and he breathed his last on Thursday. His death has plunged the Left political circles into deep sorrow, with party members and leaders expressing their condolences.
Key Aspects of Sitaram Yechury’s Life:
1. Early Life: Sitaram Yechury was born on August 12, 1952, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, to a Telugu family. He completed his education in Hyderabad and Delhi, securing the national first rank in the CBSE exams.
2. Academic Journey: Yechury earned a BA in Economics from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi, and an MA in Economics from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). His political career began in 1974 when he joined the Student Federation of India (SFI).
3. Political Beginnings: In 1975, Yechury became a member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and emerged as a key leader, especially during the Emergency, when he was arrested for his opposition to the government’s policies. He later held significant positions, including Joint Secretary and President of the All India SFI in 1978, and was elected to the Rajya Sabha from West Bengal in 2005.
4. Political Influence: Despite the declining influence of the CPI(M), especially in West Bengal and Tripura, Yechury remained a prominent figure in Indian politics. Under his leadership, the CPI(M) won its first-ever MP seat from Rajasthan in the 2024 elections.
5. Relations with National Leaders: Yechury maintained good relations with key Congress leaders like Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. Despite ideological differences, he played a crucial role in coordinating between the Left and Congress parties.
6. Parliamentary Contributions: Yechury’s proposals that led to parliamentary debates and his efforts to uphold secularism, especially during the 2008 India-US nuclear deal controversy, left a lasting impact. His voice was highly influential among opposition parties.
7. Multilingual Abilities and Global Influence: Yechury was fluent in Telugu, Hindi, English, and several other languages. He also had strong relationships with global leaders, including Fidel Castro. His political speeches earned him respect even from BJP leaders like Arun Jaitley.
8. Retirement and Opposition to CAA/NRC: Yechury retired from the Rajya Sabha in 2017 and was a vocal critic of the CAA and NRC laws introduced by the central government in 2019, arguing that they would harm the country’s communal harmony.
9. Personal Loss: In 2021, Yechury faced a personal tragedy when his son passed away during the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving him deeply distressed.
10. Legacy of Secularism: Yechury’s unwavering commitment to secularism inspired Left party members. His efforts to enhance the influence of the Left in Indian politics will be remembered for years to come.