Calling Yechury an unparalleled leader of the Communist movement in the country, Pinarayi Vijayan said Yechury’s death was an irreparable loss for the nation, especially during its time of crisis.
The Kerala CM recalled that Sitaram Yechury was a leader who earned the respect and affection of even his communist opponents.
“Yechury, who started his public work during his student days, grew into a public figure of great significance. He was regarded among the top intellectuals in the country. As a communist leader, he maintained good relations across various fields. Even his communist opponents held him in high esteem. It is a very sad day for the party. We pay tribute to Yechuri’s memory with heavy hearts,” Pinarayi Vijayan told media persons here on Thursday.
Senior CPI-M leader and LDF convener TP Ramakrishnan said that comrade Yechuri, under the guidance of EMS, was able to take a strong stand on Marxism-Leninism to fulfil a historic task in the field of ideology.
Veteran Congress leader and former Union Minister AK Antony said that Yechury’s death was a huge loss for the secularist movement in the country. “His sincere efforts in forming the INDIA bloc deserve to be acknowledged,” Antony said.
Opposition leader in the Kerala Assembly VD Satheesan said that Sitaram Yechury’s political approach was pragmatic even as he stood firm on the basic principles of ideology with clear positions. He was a leader who prioritised practicality in politics over theoretical strictures, he added.