"Leading light of Left": Prime Minister Modi mourns Sitaram Yechury's death

New Delhi [India], September 12 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the death of CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury, calling the veteran leader a "leading light of the Left," PM Modi said his thoughts are with his family and admirers in this sad hour.
CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury died on Thursday afternoon after battling pneumonia. The veteran leader was admitted to Delhi's All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). He was 72.
In a post on X, PM Modi said that Yechury had the ability to connect across the political spectrum and he made a mark as an effective parliamentarian.
"Saddened by the passing away of Sitaram Yechury Ji. He was a leading light of the Left and was known for his ability to connect across the political spectrum. He also made a mark as an effective parliamentarian. My thoughts are with his family and admirers in this sad hour. Om Shanti," the Prime Minister wrote on X.
President Droupadi Murmu also expressed grief and said that the CPI(M) General Secretary had a distinct and influential voice.
"Saddened to learn about the demise of CPI (M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury. First as a student leader and then in national politics and as a parliamentarian, he had a distinct and influential voice. Though a committed ideologue, he won friends cutting across the party lines. My heartfelt condolences to his family and colleagues," President posted on X.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that the passing of the CPI(M) leader is a loss to the political sphere.
"Saddened to hear about the passing of General Secretary of the CPI (M) and former Rajya Sabha MP, Sitaram Yechury Ji. His demise is a loss to the political sphere. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family members and friends. May God give them the strength to endure this difficult time," Shah said.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on X said that Yechury was a friend with whom he had several interactions.
"Pained by the passing away of CPI(M) General Secretary and former Rajya Sabha MP Sitaram Yechuri. In his long years in public life, he distinguished himself as a seasoned parliamentarian who was known for his knowledge and articulation. He was also my friend with whom I had several interactions. I will always recall my interactions with him. Condolences to his bereaved family and supporters. Om Shanti!" he said.
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha expressed grief and said, "Deeply saddened to learn about the passing of Sitaram Yechury, a veteran CPIM leader. Heartfelt condolences to his family & friends. May memories of his life & legacy bring strength & solace."
Union Minister Piyush Goyal termed Sitaram Yechury as "good friend."
"Yechury Ji was an MP when I came to Rajya Sabha for the first time in 2010. He was a very happy person. He was a good friend. He devoted his entire life to the service of the nation and our politics and ideologies may be different. But there was never any difference of opinion in his heart...I have learnt a lot from him and he will always be alive in our hearts. I pray to God to give peace to his soul and to give courage to his family at this very difficult time," Goyal said.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that the death of Yechury is a big loss for the Communist Party.
"I'm very sorry to hear this news of the passing away of senior Communist leader Sitaram Yachury. I had seen through the media that he was admitted to AIIMS and was undergoing some treatment for a chest infection, but it is really sad news that he's passed away. If I can recall, he's my senior from JNU. The first time when I entered Rajya Sabha in 2014, he was still a member of the Rajya Sabha. It is a big loss for the Communist Party," she said.
Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan said that the CPI(M) leader was a man of conviction, who stood by his ideas and was fully committed to what he believed in.
"It is a big loss for his party, friends and family. But I also feel a sort of personal loss because I have known him for a long time. We all are sort of contemporaries age-wise. We started taking an interest in active politics almost at the same time. So, I have known him for a long time. He was a man of conviction, who stood by his ideas and ideals and was fully committed to what he believed in. I offer my heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and colleagues," Khan told ANI.
National Conference president Farooq Abdullah said that after the death of Sitaram Yechury, the country is now deprived of such a leader who spoke freely.
"He was a very dear friend and India is now deprived of such a leader who spoke freely. His view was that this country belongs to all of us, no matter which language you belong to and it should be left like this...Everyone has to leave this country and this world...You came from there and you have to go back there. What all battles did he (Sitaram Yechury) not fight for us...Today I cannot believe that he is no longer among us," Farooq said. (ANI)