‘A Leading Light of the Left’: PM Modi Mourns Sitaram Yechury’s Death

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 12th Sept. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has paid tribute to veteran Communist leader Sitaram Yechury, who passed away on Thursday at Delhi’s All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) after a prolonged illness. He was 72 years old.

In a heartfelt message on X, PM Modi described Yechury as a “leading light of the Left” and commended his ability to connect across the political spectrum. “Saddened by the passing away of Shri Sitaram Yechury Ji. He was a leading light of the Left and was known for his ability to connect across the political spectrum,” Modi wrote.

Yechury, who served as the chief of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) three times, succeeded Prakash Karat in April 2015. Unlike Karat’s hardline approach, Yechury was known for his skills in coalition politics, a trait he shared with his mentor, the late Harkishan Singh Surjeet. Yechury played a significant role during the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) years from 2004 to 2014.

Born in Chennai, Yechury was educated at Delhi’s St. Stephen’s College and Jawaharlal Nehru University. He was a close ally of UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and was the first non-Congress leader she approached in 2004, following her decision to support Manmohan Singh as Prime Minister.

Yechury is survived by his wife, Seema Chishti, and their two children, Akhila and Danish. His elder son, Ashish Yechury, passed away due to Covid-19 in 2021. Yechury was previously married to Indrani Mazumdar.

PM Modi concluded his message with, “My thoughts are with his family and admirers in this sad hour. Om Shanti.”