Fri Sep 13 12:47:17 UTC 2024: ## Sitaram Yechury, Former CPI(M) General Secretary, Dies at 72

**New Delhi:** Sitaram Yechury, the former general secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) who led the party for nine years, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 72. Yechury was widely respected as a statesman, a popular leader who transcended party lines, and a champion of constructive politics.

He played a pivotal role in drafting the Common Minimum Programme of the first United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government, to which the Left parties offered outside support for four years. Yechury was known for his ability to build consensus, a skill he demonstrated effectively in navigating complex political situations within and outside the Left. His role in the formation of the anti-BJP INDIA bloc last year solidified his importance in the country’s secular politics.

Despite the electoral rivalry between his party and the Congress, Yechury recognized the Grand Old Party’s significance in opposing the Narendra Modi government. He was not afraid to express his viewpoints, even when they differed from those within the CPI(M) politburo and central committee. His dedication to his party was evident even when he was denied a Rajya Sabha seat in 2015, a decision he accepted with grace.

Yechury took over as general secretary in 2015 amidst a challenging period for the CPI(M), marked by electoral setbacks in West Bengal and Kerala. He faced the task of revitalizing the party and attracting both younger voters and disillusioned supporters.

Yechury’s influence extended beyond party politics. He was a brilliant orator and thinker who possessed a mass appeal among communists and beyond. His dedication to the cause of the common people was evident in his efforts to resolve intra-party issues in Kerala, particularly during the crisis arising from former chief minister V.S. Achuthanandan’s rebellion against Pinarayi Vijayan’s appointment as chief minister in 2016.

Yechury’s passing is a significant loss for the Left movement and for Indian politics. His commitment to constructive politics, his ability to bridge divides, and his tireless work for the people will be remembered for generations to come.

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