Manik Sarkar, a CPI(M) politburo member and former Chief Minister of Tripura, has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Sitaram Yechury, describing it as a significant loss for the secular and democratic political landscape of India.
The 72-year-old Yechury, who served as the general secretary of the CPI(M), passed away on Thursday afternoon at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi due to complications from a severe lung infection.
Sarkar, who led Tripura from 1998 to 2018, stated, “Yechury’s death represents a profound setback for the Left and democratic movements across the country.” He reminisced about Yechury’s dedication to fostering relationships with like-minded secular political parties, a continuation of the efforts started by the late Harkishan Singh Surjeet, his predecessor as party chief.
Sarkar noted that Yechury carried forward Surjeet’s legacy with distinction until his health began to decline. “Yechury effectively maintained positive and productive relations with non-Left secular and democratic parties,” Sarkar told reporters in Agartala.
Jitendra Chaudhury, the CPI(M) state secretary, paid tribute to Yechury’s significant contributions to the Left democratic movement in Tripura. “Yechury played a crucial role in bringing Tripura’s issues to national attention, both inside and outside Parliament. His involvement was pivotal in every election and major party event in the state,” Chaudhury said.
In honor of the late leader, the CPI(M) will lower party flags to half-mast for the next seven days. Chaudhury also highlighted Yechury’s instrumental role in the formation of the INDIA bloc and his active campaigning during the recent Assembly elections in Tripura.