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Sitaram Yechury, the fifth general secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] and a notable figure of pragmatic Left politics in India, passed away on Thursday at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi after a prolonged illness. He was 72.

 

Known for his affable nature, fluency in multiple languages, and eclectic interests that spanned from old Hindi film songs to politics, Yechury was a distinctive leader who built bridges across political divides. 

 

He took over as the CPI(M) general secretary in 2015, a period marked by the decline of the Left's influence in Indian politics.

 

Yechury succeeded Prakash Karat, a leader known for his hardline positions, and in doing so, brought a more flexible approach to coalition politics. In this regard, he followed in the footsteps of his mentor, the late Harkishan Singh Surjeet, a significant player in the coalition era of Indian politics during the National Front government (1989) and the United Front government (1996-97), both of which were supported by the CPI(M) from outside.

 

As the face of the Left in the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) years from 2004 to 2014, Yechury became a trusted ally of UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi. He played a key role in the formulation of the United Front government's Common Minimum Programme, working closely with Congress leader P. Chidambaram.

 

His political acumen was evident when, in 2004, he became the first non-Congress leader that Gandhi contacted after she declined the post of Prime Minister and backed Manmohan Singh for the role.

A negotiator in coalition politics

Yechury's pragmatic approach was most visible during the contentious period of the Indo-US nuclear deal in 2008, which led to the CPI(M) withdrawing support from the UPA government.

 

Despite the fallout, Yechury maintained a working relationship with the Congress and continued to play an important role in Left politics, demonstrating his ability to balance ideological steadfastness with political pragmatism.

 

Jairam Ramesh, a senior Congress leader, expressed his condolences and remembered Yechury as an “unrepentant Marxist with a pragmatic streak, a pillar of the CPI(M), and a superb Parliamentarian."

 

Yechury’s time in the Rajya Sabha, where he served as a Member of Parliament for 12 years until 2017, was marked by his articulate speeches on a wide range of issues, from farmers' rights to the threat of communalism.

A leader with friends across the aisle

Yechury was known not just for his political alliances but also for his personal friendships across party lines. He was seen as a convivial leader, often engaging in conversations that spanned from politics to poetry.

 

His love for old Hindi film songs, literature, and discussions endeared him to colleagues and rivals alike. Many of his friends fondly recalled their walks from Rafi Marg to Chanakya to watch films, emphasising his down-to-earth and approachable nature.

 

Fluent in multiple languages, including Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Bangla, and Malayalam, Yechury often incorporated references from Hindu mythology in his speeches, particularly when attacking the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). His speeches were known for their wit, depth, and ability to connect with the common man.

Champion of coalition politics

As the CPI(M) general secretary, Yechury navigated the party through challenging times. In 2018, he was re-elected to the position and continued to lead the party in the face of declining electoral fortunes. Under his leadership, the CPI(M) sought to rebuild its alliances and re-establish itself as a formidable force on the Left. His coalition-building skills were crucial in aligning the Left with other opposition parties ahead of the 2024 general elections.

 

Yechury played a significant role in the formation of the INDIA bloc, a coalition of opposition parties aiming to challenge the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the 2024 elections. The CPI(M)'s participation in the bloc was seen as a strategic move to regain lost ground, especially in states like Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu, where the party managed to win seats.

An impressive political journey

Yechury’s journey in politics began with the Students' Federation of India (SFI), the student wing of the CPI(M), which he joined in 1974. His political career took a decisive turn when he became the all-India joint secretary of SFI in 1978 and later its president, the first to hold the position from outside West Bengal or Kerala.

 

During the Emergency, he was arrested, marking the beginning of his rise in Left politics. After his release, he was elected president of the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union thrice, gaining prominence as a student leader who stood firmly against authoritarianism.

 

In 1985, Yechury was elected to the CPI(M) Central Committee and joined the Politburo in 1992 at the age of 40. His ascent continued as he became the party’s general secretary in 2015 when the CPI(M) had shrunk from 43 MPs in 2004 to just nine in 2014.

Cultural and intellectual anchors

Born in Chennai on August 12, 1952, into a Telugu-speaking family, Yechury grew up in Hyderabad before moving to Delhi in 1969. An academic achiever, he topped the Central Board of Secondary Education examinations and graduated in Economics from St. Stephen's College, Delhi.

 

He later pursued his post-graduation from Jawaharlal Nehru University, where he again secured first-class results but could not complete his PhD due to his arrest during the Emergency.

 

Apart from his political career, Yechury was deeply involved in the party's intellectual and cultural activities. He headed the party’s international department and served as the editor of the party's organ, ‘People’s Democracy,’ for several years.

 

His writings and speeches reflected his deep understanding of Marxist ideology, global politics, and socio-economic issues.

A Legacy of persistent left voice

Yechury remained a vocal critic of the Narendra Modi government and its policies, particularly those relating to liberal economics and communalism. Even after stepping down as the general secretary, he continued to advocate for the Left's relevance in India's evolving political landscape.

 

In a recent interview, he acknowledged the CPI(M)’s marginal improvement in the 2024 elections but stressed the need for introspection on closing the gap between grassroots struggles and electoral success.

Personal life and resilience

Yechury is survived by his wife, Seema Chishti, and his two children, Akhila and Danish. He lost his elder son, Ashish Yechury, to Covid-19 in 2021, a personal tragedy that profoundly impacted him. Yechury was previously married to Indrani Mazumdar.

 

Throughout his life, Yechury remained a steadfast advocate for the working classes and an intellectual force within the Indian Left.

 

His ability to combine ideological commitment with pragmatic politics made him a unique figure in Indian political history, and his legacy will be remembered for his unwavering dedication to his principles and his willingness to engage with adversaries to seek common ground.