Sitaram Yechury, the general secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and a former Rajya Sabha MP, passed away at the age of 72 on Thursday, September 12, 2024. A great loss to all journalists, who have covered Indian politics for years.
“Sita”, as we fondly called him, will remain in our hearts and minds.
I was struck by how effortlessly he made everyone around him feel at ease. He wasn’t the imposing figure of the stereotypical political leader. Instead, he was approachable, always willing to chat, listen, and offer insights without a trace of arrogance. Yechury had a way of making even the most junior reporters feel heard, treating everyone with respect and warmth, a rare trait in the corridors of power.
For many of us in the media, Yechury was more than just the leader of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), he was a reliable ally, a guide, and in many ways, a teacher. Whenever there was a critical political development, whether it was during the United Front governments of H D Deve Gowda and I K Gujral or the Left-supported UPA-I government under Dr Manmohan Singh, Yechury was the one we turned to for clarity.
He had the rare ability to break down complex political manoeuvrings into simple, digestible information, making sure we never left a conversation confused or misled.
It was Yechury whom the media fraternity relied on to explain what was happening behind the closed doors of the United Front Steering Committee or the Core Group meetings. As a relatively junior leader among stalwarts like Inderjit Gupta, Harkishan Singh Surjeet, and Somnath Chatterjee, Yechury was nonetheless a trusted source.
He always had time for us, offering insights into the decisions being made and why they mattered. It was during these years that Yechury established himself as a key interlocutor for the media and the broader political ecosystem.
Yechury’s role during UPA-I, when the Left’s support was crucial to the survival of the government, further cemented his place as an indispensable figure in Indian politics.
Those were, in many ways, golden years for both governance and the media. The Left’s influence ensured that landmark social legislations like the Right to Information (RTI) Act and the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) were passed. There are many more. But these two I recall.
There was accountability, and for those of us covering these developments, the accessibility of leaders like Yechury made our jobs so much easier. He would be available for us early morning, past midnight almost every time. When he would not take the call, he would definitely call you back.
His pragmatic approach blended with idealism made him the bridge between the Left’s ideological commitments and the practical necessities of governance.
But it wasn’t just his political acumen that made Yechury stand out. His wit and humour were legendary. I recall a debate on Ayodhya and the Babri Masjid-Ram Janambhoomi issue, where Yechury, in his characteristic style, remarked, “Sita, as well as Ram, live in the hearts of the people. Why go searching for them in Ayodhya?” (His first name had both Sita and Ram).
The House erupted in laughter, but there was a deeper point he was making about faith and politics. His humour had the ability to disarm even the most charged political debates, offering a moment of levity while still delivering a powerful message.
Covering the Rajya Sabha, where Yechury had a formidable presence, was always a privilege. His speeches were erudite, filled with historical context and sharp political insights.
He had a way of elevating the debate without ever sounding condescending. Watching him engage with his political opponents, one couldn’t help but admire the balance he struck between fierce ideological commitment and respect for differing viewpoints. It was this quality that won him friends across party lines, despite being a staunch Marxist ideologue.
For those of us, who had the privilege of interacting with him regularly, Yechury was a guide in more ways than one. He never saw himself merely as a political leader; he was a mentor who took time to explain, to teach.
Whether it was a complicated policy issue or the nuances of Marxist theory, he approached every conversation as a learning moment – for us and, I suspect, for him as well. I never left a conversation with Yechury feeling uncertain. He would patiently walk us through the intricacies, making sure we understood the bigger picture. He valued knowledge and saw it as something to be shared, not hoarded.
Reflecting on his journey, it’s impossible not to be awed by his rise within the CPI(M). From his early days at Jawaharlal Nehru University, where he was thrice elected President of the Students’ Union, to his eventual ascension as the General Secretary of the party in 2015, Yechury’s path was one of consistent dedication to the cause.
He was arrested during the Emergency in 1975 for his political activities, but that only strengthened his resolve. His life was a testament to the idea that political leadership is not about personal glory but about serving the people and the ideals one believes in.
Under his leadership, the CPI(M) navigated through some of its most challenging years. The party’s loss of its stronghold in West Bengal was a significant blow, but Yechury remained undeterred. He understood that the Left’s role in Indian politics was not just about winning elections but about being the nation’s conscience, ensuring that the voices of the marginalized were always heard.
As we bid farewell to Sitaram Yechury, it’s hard not to feel a deep sense of loss. He was more than a political leader; he was the heart and soul of the Left movement in India. His absence comes at a time when the country needs voices like his more than ever – voices that stand for egalitarianism, justice, and the betterment of the most vulnerable in society.
To Seema and the family, my deepest sympathies. “Sita,” as we fondly called him, will remain in our hearts and minds, a constant reminder of what true leadership looks like. Yechury’s legacy will live on, not just in the history of the CPI(M) but in the broader story of India’s political and social evolution.
Hue Namawar Be Nishaan Kaise Kaise
Zameen Khaa Gayi Aasmaan Kaise Kaise
Have you liked the news article?