CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury passed away on Thursday at the age of 72, following a prolonged illness. His death at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi marks the loss of a prominent figure in Indian politics. Tributes poured in from political leaders, with Congress expressing deep condolences over his passing. Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, remembered Yechury as a "protector of the Idea of India," acknowledging his deep understanding of the country's complexities.

Rahul Gandhi, in a post on X, fondly recalled Yechury as a close friend, sharing how he would miss their long discussions. He praised Yechury’s commitment to safeguarding India's pluralistic values. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also paid tribute, calling Yechury an excellent parliamentarian and intellectual who balanced political ideologies with personal relationships, serving the people with both pragmatism and idealism.

Kharge further emphasized Yechury's role as a collective conscience for progressive and liberal forces, noting that his death is a great loss for Indian polity. Yechury's legacy as a leader, intellectual, and advocate for the people will be remembered across the political spectrum, with his influence extending beyond his own party.