CPI-M Colossus Falls: Sitaram Yechury Passes Away After Prolonged Battle With Chest Infection

Sitaram Yechury was admitted to the Emergency Ward at AIIMS on August 19 due to a pneumonia-like chest infection and later shifted to the intensive care unit.

Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Sitaram Yechury passed away on Thursday at the age of 72 after suffering respiratory disease. He was undergoing treatment at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi where he was admitted on August 19.

The CPI(M) said that the veteran leader was suffering from a respiratory tract infection which developed complications. He breathed his last at 3.03 pm at AIIMS, New Delhi.

"It is with profound grief that we announce the passing away of CPIM General Secretary, our beloved Comrade Sitaram Yechury, at 3.03 pm today, 12th September, at the AIIMS, New Delhi. He was suffering from a respiratory tract infection which developed complications," the party said in a statement.

The hospital said that Yechury was suffering from pneumonia and added that the family has donated his body to AIIMS for teaching and research purposes.   

"Sh. Sitaram Yechury, aged 72, was admitted to AIIMS 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," AIIMS, New Delhi said in a statement.

Earlier on Tuesday, the CPI(M) said in a statement that the CPI(M) veteran was being treated for acute respiratory tract infection at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in AIIMS.

"A multi-disciplinary team of doctors is closely monitoring his condition, which is critical at this time," the statement read. 

On August 19, he was admitted to the Emergency Ward at AIIMS due to a pneumonia-like chest infection and later shifted to the intensive care unit. In an update on August 31, the party said he was being treated for a respiratory issue. 

Expressing his condolences, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi 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."

He had recently undergone a cataract surgery. 

Yechury succeeded Prakash Karat as the general secretary of the CPI(M) in 2015. He was known for carrying on the legacy of coalition-building from former general secretary Harkishan Singh Surjeet. 

The CPI(M) veteran had collaborated with former Union finance minister P Chidambaram to draft the common minimum programme for the United Front government in 1996. 

Yechury rose to prominence after he was arrested in 1975 during the Emergency while still a student at the Jawaharlal Nehru University. He was elected president of the JNU Students' Uinon thrice in the span of a year between 1977 and 78.