Tribute to Sitaram Yechury: A Legacy of Pragmatic Leadership

Sitaram Yechury, CPI-M's pragmatic leader, passed away at 72. A three-time general secretary, he was known for his coalition politics skills and strong parliamentary presence. Born in Chennai, Yechury was a trusted ally in UPA years and remained a vocal critic of the Modi government. His legacy continues through his contributions to the CPI-M and Indian politics.

Sitaram Yechury, the CPI-M's fifth general secretary renowned for his pragmatic leadership, passed away at the age of 72 after a prolonged illness in Delhi's AIIMS. Yechury steered the party during challenging times, known for his coalition politics acumen and strong parliamentary presence. Born in Chennai and educated at Delhi's St Stephen's College and Jawaharlal Nehru University, he was a trusted ally of the UPA during Manmohan Singh's tenure as Prime Minister. Yechury was instrumental in drafting the common minimum programme for the United Front government and played a key role during the UPA-Left Coordination Committee discussions.

Yechury's political journey began with the Students' Federation of India (SFI) in 1974. He quickly rose through party ranks, becoming the general secretary in 2015 and re-elected twice. Known for his fluent oratory in multiple languages, Yechury was a Rajya Sabha MP for 12 years and was respected for his articulate speeches on various issues, including farmer welfare, economic policies, and communalism.

Expressing condolences, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh described Yechury as an unrepentant Marxist with a pragmatic streak. Yechury's negotiation skills were pivotal in forming alliances, notably the INDIA bloc for the 2024 general elections. Despite personal loss and political challenges, his legacy of dedicated leadership and coalition-building remains influential in Indian politics.

(With inputs from agencies.)