Sitaram Yechury Biography: Early Life, Career, and Achievements

Sitaram Yechury was an Indian Marxist politician, the General Secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), and a member of the Politburo of the CPI (M) since 1992. He was also a former member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha, from West Bengal from 2005 to 2017.

Sadly, this former Rajya Sabha member passed away at the age of 72 after a prolonged illness. The senior politician had been critically ill for several days after being admitted to AIIMS New Delhi on August 19 for treatment of a pneumonia-like chest infection. The news has sparked outpourings of grief, with politicians from all parties mourning his death.

Early Life and Education

Sitaram Yechury was born on August 12, 1952, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, to a Telugu-speaking Brahmin family. He spent his early years in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, where he completed his schooling at All Saints High School. In 1969, he moved to Delhi due to disruption of academic life caused by the separate Telangana movement. Yechury completed his higher secondary education from President's Estate School in Delhi, securing the All-India first rank in the CBSE examination. He then pursued a B.A. (Hons) in Economics from St. Stephen's College, Delhi University, graduating with a first class. Yechury later obtained an M.A. in Economics from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU).

Political Career

Yechury began his political journey as an activist of the Students' Federation of India (SFI) in 1974 while at JNU. He joined the Communist Party of India (Marxist) in 1975. During the Emergency imposed by Indira Gandhi in 1975–77, Yechury went into hiding and spent time under arrest for organising resistance. After the Emergency was lifted, he was elected President of the JNU Students' Union three times between 1977 and 1978.

Yechury was inducted into the CPI(M) Central Committee in 1984 along with Prakash Karat. He became a member of the CPI (M) Politburo in 1992. Yechury worked closely with veteran leaders like E.M.S. Namboodiripad and Harkishan Singh Surjeet, learning the ropes of the party. He was elected to the CPI(M) Congress in 1985, the Central Secretariat in 1988, and the Polit Bureau in 1992.

Yechury played a key role in the formation of the United Front government in 1996 and the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government in 2004. He served as a member of the Rajya Sabha for several terms.

General Secretary of CPI(M)

Yechury was elected General Secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) on April 19, 2015. He served in this position until his passing in 2024. Under his leadership, the party navigated the divide between pragmatism and dogmatism, maintaining its ideological moorings while adapting to the changing political landscape.

Personal Life and Death

Yechury was married to Seema Chisti, who is the editor of The Wire and formerly the Delhi editor of BBC Hindi Service. They had two children, a son and a daughter. His son Ashish Yechury died on 22 April 2021 due to COVID-19, at the age of 34. His daughter, Akhila Yechury, is a history major who teaches at the Universities of Edinburgh and St Andrews.

Mohan Kanda, IAS, former Chief Secretary of Andhra Pradesh, is Yechury's maternal uncle. He passed away on September 12, 2024, at the age of 72 after a brief illness. Yechury was being treated at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi for an acute respiratory tract infection. 

Awards and Achievements

Sitaram Yechury received several awards and recognitions throughout his political career, highlighting his contributions to Indian politics and his role as a leader within the Communist Party of India (Marxist).

1. Best Parliamentarian Award (Rajya Sabha): In 2017, Yechury was honoured with the Best Parliamentarian Award for his exemplary performance as a member of the Rajya Sabha. This recognition acknowledged his ability to articulate issues effectively and contribute meaningfully to parliamentary debates.
2. Influential Political Figure: Yechury was recognised as a significant figure in Indian politics, particularly for his role in coalition-building efforts during his tenure. He was instrumental in forming alliances that shaped the political landscape, particularly during the United Front government in 1996 and the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government in 2004.
3. Leadership in CPI(M): As the General Secretary of the CPI(M) from 2015 until his death in 2024, Yechury was acknowledged for his leadership and efforts to modernise the party's approach while maintaining its ideological integrity. His tenure was marked by attempts to adapt to changing political dynamics in India.