CPI(M) general secretary and veteran leader Sitaram Yechury, aged 72, passed away on Thursday afternoon after prolonged illness.
Yechury was admitted in the intensive care unit of AIIMS, Delhi and was undergoing treatment for acute respiratory tract infection.
“Sh. Sitaram Yechury, aged 72, was admitted to AlIMS on 19th August 2024 with pneumonia and passed away on 12th September 2024 at 3:05 PM. The family has donated his body to AIIMS, New Delhi for teaching and research purposes,” the official AIIMS statement read.
Over the past few days, he had been on respiratory support, being treated by a multidisciplinary team of doctors.
Yechury was admitted on August 19 for the treatment of a pneumonia-like chest infection. However, in an update on August 31, the CPI(M) released a statement saying that Sitaram Yechury was being treated for a respiratory issue by a team of specialist doctors.
Yechury was selected as the general secretary of the CPM in 2015. He succeeded Prakash Karat.
Born in Chennai on August 12, 1952, Yechury had served as All India President of Students Federation of India. He was a member of CPI(M) central committee since 1984 and a member of Politburo, CPI(M) since 1992.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi extended his condolences and said “Yechury ji was a friend”. He took to X and said, “Sitaram Yechury ji was a friend. A protector of the Idea of India with a deep understanding of our country. I will miss the long discussions we used to have. My sincere condolences to his family, friends, and followers in this hour of grief.”
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said, “Sad to know that Sri Sitaram Yechury has passed away. I knew the veteran parliamentarian that he was and his demise will be a loss for the national politics. I express my condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.”