Committed ideologue: Prez Murmu, PM Modi, others condole Yechury's demise

President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday condoled the demise of CPI (M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury and expressed heartfelt condolences to his family and colleagues.

She said Yechury, a committed ideologue, won friends cutting across the party lines.

 

Saddened to learn about the demise of CPI (M) general secretary Shri Sitaram Yechury. First as a student leader and then in national politics and as a parliamentarian, he had a distinct and influential voice. Though a committed ideologue, he won friends cutting across the party…

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) September 12, 2024

The three-time party chief died at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here on Thursday following prolonged illness. He was 72.

 

"Saddened to learn about the demise of CPI (M) general secretary Shri Sitaram Yechury. First as a student leader and then in national politics and as a parliamentarian, he had a distinct and influential voice. Though a committed ideologue, he won friends cutting across the party lines. My heartfelt condolences to his family and colleagues," Muru said in a post on X.

PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the passing of CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury and said he was a leading light of the Left known for 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 said in a post on X.
 

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. He also made a mark as an effective Parliamentarian. My thoughts are with his family and admirers in this sad hour.… pic.twitter.com/Cp8NYNlwSB

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 12, 2024

"He also made a mark as an effective parliamentarian. My thoughts are with his family and admirers in this sad hour. Om Shanti," the prime minister said.
 

Leaders express grief

Expressing grief over the death of CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury, former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Thursday said he was very loyal to his ideology.

"The news of the death of senior CPI-M leader Sitaram Yechury is very sad. Sitaram Yechury was very hardworking and loyal to his ideology.

"Yechury had a deep understanding of political issues of the country and abroad. His departure is a big loss for Indian politics," Gehlot wrote on X.

Congress state president Govind Singh Dotasra and other leaders have also expressed grief over Yechury's death.

Odisha Governor Raghubar Das, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik on Thursday condoled the death of veteran CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury.

Patnaik, who is also the BJD president, said Yechury will be missed during debates on issues of national importance.
 

Deeply saddened to learn about the passing away of veteran CPI (M) leader Sitaram Yechury after prolonged illness. The eloquent, erudite and affable leader will be sorely missed during debates on issues of national importance. My thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved family,… pic.twitter.com/bMzheJqJAj

— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) September 12, 2024

Taking to X, the Raj Bhavan said, Hon'ble Governor is saddened to hear about the demise of @cpimspeak General Secretary and former Rajya Sabha MP #SitaramYechury after a prolonged illness. He conveys his deep condolences to the family and friends.

Majhi extended condolences to the bereaved family members of the senior communist leader and former Rajya Sabha MP.

Patnaik, who uploaded one of his pictures with Yechury on X, said, Deeply saddened to learn about the passing away of veteran CPI (M) leader Sitaram Yechury after prolonged illness. The eloquent, erudite and affable leader will be sorely missed during debates on issues of national importance. My thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved family, friends and followers in the hour of grief. #OmShanti.

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Thursday expressed grief over the death of CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury, saying his demise was a great loss for Indian politics.

"His departure is a great loss for Indian politics. He was a skilled politician, thinker and a leader dedicated to the interests of the people," Soren said in a post on X.

Conveying his heartfelt condolences, he said, "I pray to Marang Buru to grant peace to the departed soul and strength to his family to bear this loss."

Meanwhile, CPI(ML) Liberation general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya also expressed grief over Yechury's death.

"His death is a big loss to the communist movement in India. Yechury was playing an important role in communist unity and strengthening the INDIA bloc against the BJP," he said.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, NCP (SP) supremo Sharad Pawar and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray condoled the death of CPI (M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury on Thursday and hailed his commitment to his party and values he brought to politics.

"The country has lost a leader who dedicated his life to a cause to protect the interests of labourers, farmers, and the common man. His devotion to his party and an honest commitment to the values will always be considered ideal in politics. I express my tributes to Yechury for consistently maintaining personal relationships despite political differences," Shinde said in a post on X.

"A key leader of CPM passed away today. He will always be remembered as an important voice among the left parties. He was general secretary of the CPI-M two times consecutively. His death is a major loss to the left parties in the country. He was indeed an important voice for the labourers, workers and farmers. I offer my tributes to Yechury," Pawar said.

Thackeray said Yechury's five decade long political career was filled with struggle, adding he "was a good orator, student of the economy and a leader who would not compromise with his values, a patient and pleasant demeanour".

Yechury was a frank speaker and was adored across parties, Thackeray added.

"His sudden death is shocking. I offer my tributes to him," the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader said.

Senior Maharashtra Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar said "we have lost a a leader who was in touch with various strata of society, and he would understand their pain".

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also expressed grief over the death of veteran CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury and said he made a rich contribution towards public service and social justice.

Yechury will be remembered for his deep conviction in his ideology and policies, Sarma said.
 

Pained by the passing away of Sitaram Yechury ji. An erudite and articulate leader, he made a rich contribution towards public service and social justice. In his long and distinguished political career, which began during the anti emergency andolan, he served the people and his… pic.twitter.com/RJSwx2S4JD

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) September 12, 2024

'Pained by the passing away of Sitaram Yechury ji. An erudite and articulate leader, he made a rich contribution towards public service and social justice," Sarma posted on 'X'.

Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Thursday condoled the passing of CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury, saying he left behind a rich legacy of unwavering commitment to public service.

"Deeply saddened by the passing away of veteran leader Shri Sitaram Yechury ji. His career spanning five decades has been marked by significant contributions towards strengthening Indian democracy. He leaves behind a rich legacy of unwavering commitment to public service," the Vice-President's Secretariat said quoting Dhankhar, who is also the Rajya Sabha chairperson.

In a post on X, Birla prayed for peace for the departed soul.

Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Thursday condoled the passing away of CPI (M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury, saying he was fierce in his determination to protect India's diversity and was a powerful champion of secularism.

"I am very saddened by the passing away of Sitaram Yechuryji. We had worked closely together during 2004-08 to begin with and the friendship that had been established then continued till his very end," said Gandhi in a statement.

"He was uncompromising in his commitment to the values of our country's Constitution embodied so very forcefully in its Preamble. He was fierce in his determination to protect India's diversity and was a powerful champion of secularism," the former Congress chief said.

Yechury was, of course, a life-long communist but that faith was anchored in democratic values, Gandhi said.

Indeed, his twelve-year stint in Parliament was memorable and left his indelible mark, she added.

"He (Yechury) played a pivotal role in UPA-1 and more recently contributed enormously to the emergence of the INDIA group in the run up to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. He will be sorely missed," Gandhi said.

Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Thursday condoled CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury's passing and said it was a "cruel blow" to the forces engaged in the defence of democracy, liberty, equality, workers' and human rights.

In a statement, Chidambaram said the passing of Yechury was a "cruel blow to the forces that are engaged in a determined battle in the defence of democracy, liberty, equality, workers' rights and human rights".

"I know that from 1996, Comrade Yechury had stood with the progressive forces of the country. He was a committed Marxist but he was practical enough to understand that some of the goals of Marxism could be achieved, in the current age, only if he stood by other progressive political parties," former Union minister said.
 

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Thursday expressed grief over the death of veteran CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury.

CPI(M) Tripura unit secretary Jitendra Choudhury also condoled the death of the Left leader and said the party, as a mark of respect, cancelled all its programmes in the state for the next three days.

Deeply saddened to learn about the passing away of Sitaram Yechury, a veteran CPI(M) leader. Heartfelt condolences to his family & friends. May memories of his life & legacy bring strength & solace, Saha wrote on Facebook.

Choudhury said Yechury was instrumental in shaping up the INDIA bloc.

Yechury was not only the tallest leader of the CPI(M) but also in the entire Left movement in the country. He was a prolific writer and progressive leader. He was instrumental in forming the INDIA bloc. Without its formation, we would not have a strong opposition bench in Parliament," Choudhury told PTI.

Recalling his long association with Yechury, the CPI(M) Tripura unit secretary said he visited the northeastern state on several occasions.

"As a mark of respect, the party has cancelled all the programmes for the next three days and its flag will fly at half-mast for seven days," Choudhury said.
 

Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi, Chief Minister M K Stalin, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami and leaders of political parties expressed grief over the death of CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury on Thursday and praised him for his services to the people and his crusade against the infamous Emergency.

In a post on 'X', Governor Ravi said, "Deeply saddened by the demise of Thiru Sitaram Yechury, veteran CPI-M leader. His impactful contributions to Indian politics will always be remembered. My heartfelt condolences to his family and followers. Om Shanti!"

CM Stalin said he was deeply shocked and saddened by the demise of Yechury, and described him as a 'stalwart of the Left movement and a towering figure' in Indian politics.

In a post on 'X', Stalin said: "Comrade @SitaramYechury was a fearless leader whose commitment to justice was evident from a young age, as he courageously stood against the Emergency as a student leader. His dedication to the cause of the working class, secularism, social justice, equality, and progressive values shaped a distinguished career that will continue to inspire future generations.

"I will always cherish the insightful interactions I had with him. My heartfelt condolences to his family and comrades during this difficult time. Red Salute, Comrade!"

Former Chief Minister Palaniswami said he was deeply saddened to hear the news of Yechury's passing away.

In a social media post, he said: "With his demise, the nation has lost an exemplary statesman and an astute frontrunner of Communist ideology. My deepest condolences to his family and comrades. Farewell, comrade!"

Expressing anguish, MDMK chief Vaiko recalled Yechury's crusade against the Emergency as a student leader and his incarceration to protect democracy. His passing away is a great loss to Leftists and progressive thinkers, he said, adding he saluted the leader's selfless services.

Condoling the Left leader's death, PMK chief Anbumani Ramadoss said Yechury is an exemplary leader in the history of India's Left movement. Ramadoss praised his pivotal role in forging national level alliances, in forming governments at the Centre with Deve Gowda and Manmohan Singh at the helm in 1996 and 2004 respectively.

CPI(M) State Secretary K Balakrishnan hailed Yechury as a great son of the Red flag and said the party saltuted him by lowering the party flag.

CPI state secretary R Mutharasan offered a similar 'Red salute' and praised him as a leader for his services to the people, which began as a student and ended only with his death.