"Comrade, your absence is profoundly felt": Tamil Nadu CM Stalin shares heartfelt message for late CPI-M leader Sitaram Yechury

In a post on X, CM Stalin wrote, "Shared fond memories with the family of Comrade Sitaram Yechury, as they recalled how he often spoke with great admiration for the DMK and the special bond we shared, warmly highlighting my name, Stalin."

"Comrade, your absence is profoundly felt, and you are deeply missed," read the post by MK Stalin.

The 72-year-old leader passed away due to pneumonia on September 12.

Yechury was admitted to the AIIMS in Delhi on August 19. He had been first admitted to the emergency ward and then shifted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

An affable leader with cross-party political connections, Sitaram Yechury was among the most prominent Left leaders in the country, known as much for his sharp and knowledgeable parliamentary interventions as for the role in giving shape to pragmatic alliances to forging his party's political objectives.

Evidently the most popular among CPI-M leaders, Yechury had a clout in national politics which continued despite the receding fortunes of his own party.

Yechury joined the Communist Party of India (Marxist) in 1975 and rose in the party ranks with his skills, knowledge and articulation. He was among the leaders arrested during the emergency.

Born in Chennai on August 12, 1952, Yechury did his schooling in Hyderabad and later moved to Delhi for higher studies. He studied at St Stephen's College of Delhi University and joined JNU for his post-graduation. A brilliant student, he secured a first class in both his undergraduate and post-graduate degrees in economics.

A member of the Rajya Sabha for two terms from 2005 to 2017, he was an effective parliamentarian whose speeches and interventions were eagerly watched. A recipient of the Best Parliamentarian award in 2017, Yechury's dexterity with words, profoundness of arguments and quick wit earned respect from political opponents. (ANI)