Sitaram Yechury, a senior leader of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the party's General Secretary, passed away on Thursday at the age of 72. He had been battling a long illness and died around 3:03 pm at AIIMS Hospital in New Delhi.
The CPM announced his passing in a statement, saying that Yechury had been suffering from a serious respiratory infection, which later led to complications. The party expressed gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and AIIMS staff for their care and efforts during his treatment.
Yechury was admitted to AIIMS on August 19 to treat a chest infection similar to pneumonia. Over the last few days, his condition worsened, and he was placed on respiratory support. He had also recently undergone cataract surgery.
Rahul Gandhi, a senior leader of the Congress party, expressed his sorrow over Yechury’s death, remembering him as a friend and someone deeply committed to the idea of India. Gandhi said he would miss their long conversations and offered his condolences to Yechury’s family and supporters.