‘Leading light of the Left’, ‘protector of Idea of India’: PM Modi, other leaders condole Sitaram Yechury’s demise

His death has prompted an outpouring of tributes from across the political spectrum.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his condolences, while noting that Yechury was a “leading light of the Left” and “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. Om Shanti,” the PM said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

President Droupadi Murmu also praised  Yechury’s “distinct and influential voice” in her condolence message. “Though a committed ideologue, he won friends cutting across the party lines. My heartfelt condolences to his family and colleagues,” she said.

Taking to X,  Leader of Opposition (LoP) and senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi wrote, “Sitaram Yechury ji was a friend and a protector of the Idea of India, possessing 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.”

Extending his condolences, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said, “His demise is a loss to the political sphere. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family members and friends. May God give them the strength to endure this difficult time.”

Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) chairperson Sonia Gandhi, fondly remembered Yechury, “I am very saddened by the passing away of Sitaram Yechury. We had worked closely together during 2004-08 to begin with and the friendship that had been established then continued till his very end. He was uncompromising in his commitment to the values of our country’s Constitution embodied so very forcefully in its Preamble…,” she said.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, while paying tribute to the leftist leader, said,  “If I can recall, he’s my senior from JNU (Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi). The first time when I entered Rajya Sabha in 2014, he was still a member of the Rajya Sabha. It is a big loss for the Communist Party…”

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in his condolence message wrote: “In his long years in public life, he distinguished himself as a seasoned parliamentarian known for his knowledge and articulation. He was also my friend with whom I had several interactions. I will always recall my interactions with him.”

Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari also took to X to express his condolences, writing, “His contributions to public life will always be remembered.”

BJP national president JP Nadda lauded Yechury’s decades of “dedicated public service and immense contributions” to the nation will always be remembered, adding that Yechury’s departure was an “irreparable loss to Indian politics.”

Indian Congress Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge called Yechury a humble leader who chartered the unique territory of balancing personal equations with unflinching political ideologies.  “A excellent Parliamentarian and an outstanding intellectual, he served the people of India with pragmatism blended with idealism. It is a great loss for all the liberal forces, for he was the collective conscience keeper of progressives,” Kharge said.

In his condolence message, Kerala Chief Minister and CPI(M) politburo member Pinarayi Vijayan said that Yechury’s death was an irreparable loss at a time when the country and its people are facing serious crises. “A leader who rose to the CPI(M) leadership from its student movement, Yechury had led the party through nine years of troubled political times. While serving as the general secretary of CPI(M), he acted as a guide for the party and the Left movement in the country, being instrumental in forming the correct political stance while leading the party,” he said in a statement.

Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, who was among the first to pay tribute to the CPI(M) leader, described Yechury as an “unrepentant Marxist with a pragmatic streak, a pillar of the CPI(M), and a superb Parliamentarian.”

“Our association stretched over three decades, and we collaborated closely on different occasions. He had friends across the political spectrum and was admired for the strength of his convictions and his engaging personality,” he wrote on X, adding, “Salaam Tovarish. You have left us much too early, but you enriched public life immeasurably and will not be forgotten.”

The Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong also expressed his sorrow at Yechury’s passing away, remembering him as “a staunch Marxist and an old friend of the Chinese.” He added that Yechury’s “contribution to China-India relations and friendship will be remembered forever.”

RSS all India publicity head Sunil Ambekar also expressed his deep condolences to Yechury’s family and comrades. “He was a committed and sensitive political leader. Pray for peace to the departed soul,” Ambekar wrote on X.

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) also paid a heartfelt tribute to their “Comrade.

The Bureau noted that Yechury was the topmost leader of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), an outstanding leader of the Left movement and a well-known Marxist ideologue. “He was a brilliant student who secured a first class in both his undergraduate and post-graduate degrees in economics. He joined the student movement in Jawaharlal Nehru University in 1974 and became a leader of the Students Federation of India. He was thrice elected as President of the JNU Students Union within a span of two years. He was the All India President of the Students Federation of India from 1984 to 1986 and played an important role in developing the student organisation as an all-India force,” they said in a statement.

Reflecting back on the leader’s journey, the Bureau said, “Yechury joined the CPI(M) in 1975. He was arrested during the emergency for his political activities. He was elected to the Central Committee of the Party in 1985 at the 12th Congress and he remained in the Central Committee till his death. He was elected to the Central Secretariat in 1989 and to the Polit Bureau in 1992 at the 14th Congress of the Party. He was elected as the General Secretary of the CPI(M) at the 21st Congress in 2015, a position he continued till his death.”

Yechury’s passing marks the end of an era for the CPI(M), where he was known for his unwavering commitment to Marxist principles and his ability to engage in thoughtful dialogue with political adversaries.

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