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Sitaram Yechury

Sitaram Yechury is an Indian politician and the fifth General Secretary of the Communist Party of India - Marxist (CPI-M). He is currently a member of Rajya Sabha and is famously known as one of the prominent leaders of the opposition party. He was elected as the General Secretary of CPI-M on 19^th April 2015. Yechury is the parliamentary group leader of the CPI-M and a politburo member of the party. He is a celebrated columnist, an economist and a social worker.

Sitaram Yechury was born on 12^th August 1952 in Madras (now Chennai) in a Telugu speaking Brahmin family. His father, Sarveswara Somayajula Yechury, was an Andhra Pradesh State Road Corporation Engineer and his mother, Kalpakam Yechury, was a government officer. Sitaram Yechury spent his childhood in Hyderabad. Sitaram Yechury did his matriculation from All Saints High School in Hyderabad. He came to Delhi following the Telangana Agitation of 1969 and got admitted into Presidents Estate School. Owing to his exceptional academic acumen, Yechury got all India first class first in CBSE Higher Secondary Examination in 1970. He joined the reputed St. Stephens College of Delhi University and did his B.A. (Hons.) in Economics from there. Yechury then obtained a master's degree in Economics from Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi.

Sitaram Yechury stepped into the Indian political arena in 1974 when he became a member of the Students Federation of India (SFI). He joined the ranks of the Communist Party of India - Marxist in 1975 when he was still a student at Jawaharlal University in Delhi. Yechury was amongst many who were arrested during the Emergency imposed in 1975 by Indira Gandhi, the then Prime Minister of India. He also pursued a Ph.D in Economics from JNU, however, he could not continue it because of being arrested during the Emergency of 1975-1977. Sitaram Yechury was elected the President of JNU Student's Union thrice in one year after his release from jail following the removal of the Emergency in 1977. Sitaram Yechury and the former General Secretary of the CPI-M Prakash Karat made JNU a leftist stronghold. Yechury was elected as the General Secretary of the SFI and later was appointed as its President in 1978. Yechury became a member of the CPI-M Central Committee in 1984. Two years later, he parted his ways with the SFI. At the 14th congress of the CPI-M, Sitaram Yechury was elected as the party politburo in 1992. Yechury was instrumental, along with former Union Minister P. Chidambaram, in drafting the 'Common Minimum Programme' in 1996 for the United Front Government. He also played a significant part in building a coalition process to be a part of the UPA government in 2004.

Sitaram Yechury was first elected to the Rajya Sabha (the Upper House of the Parliament) from West Bengal in 2005. He has been a noted figure of the Upper House ever since by having brought issues of common interest and public welfare to the fore and by frequently disrupting the ruling governments over a number of issues over the years. In his political career, he has held several positions. After being elected to Rajya Sabha on 25 Sept. 2005 , in 2006 he became the Member of Committee on Home Affairs (13 April 2006-May 2009). From Aug. 2010 onwards he was appointed as the Chairman, Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture 13 April 2006 onwards Member, General Purposes Committee May 2006-May 2009. Other positions he held were Member, Parliamentary Forum on Population and Public Health June 2006 onwards; Member, Committe on Ethics June 2006 - Sept. 2007; Member, Business Advisory Committee Aug. 2006-Dec. 2008; Member, Joint Committee to examine the constitutional and legal position relating to Office of Profit Sept. 2006 onwards; Member, Committee of Privileges May 2009 - May 2012; Member, Court of the Jawaharlal Nehru University Aug. 2009 onwards; Member, Joint Parliamentary Committee on Installation of Portraits/ Statues of National Leaders and Parliamentarians in Parliament House Member, Consultative Committee for the Ministry of External Affairs July 2010 onwards Member, Indian Council of World Affairs March 2011 onwards Member, JPC to examine matters relating to allocation and pricing of telecom licences and spectrum Aug. 2011 Re-elected to Rajya Sabha Aug. 2012 Chairman, Committee on Agriculture

Yechury is often criticised by the government for causing regular disruptions; however, he hails it as his democratic right. His current term as a member of the Rajya Sabha is from 19 August 2011 until 18 August 2017. 19 April 2015 came to be known as the day on which Sitaram Yechury was unanimously elected as the fifth General Secretary of the Communist Party of India - Marxist at the 21st party congress held in Visakhapatnam. He succeeded Prakash Karat. Sitaram Yechury and his fellow politburo member S. Ramachandran Pillai were the contenders for the coveted position; however, the latter pulled out and Yechury rose to the position of Party General Secretary. Yechury is married to journalist Seema Chisti Yechury. She is the Resident Editor of Indian Express and was formerly the Delhi Editor of BBC Hindi. Sitaram Yechury has a son with Seema Chisti Yechury. Sitaram Yechury's first wife was the daughter of the famous Left-Wing activist Vina Mazumdar. Akhila Yechury, his daughter, is a professor of History and teaches at the University of St. Andrews and she was a lecturer at the University of Edinburgh.

Sitaram Yechury, D Raja Stopped at Srinagar Airport, CPI (M) Calls it 'Illegal Detention'
India.com News Desk | August 9, 2019 1:17 PM IST
New Delhi: Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary Sitaram Yechury and his party collea...
Sitaram Yechury, D Raja Stopped at Srinagar Airport, CPI (M) Calls it 'Illegal Detention'
indiacom
2019-08-09T02:17:45+00:00
2019-08-09T02:19:32+00:00
Sitaram Yechury
India.com
Now CPM General Secretary Sitaram Yechury Wants to Visit Srinagar, Writes to J&K Guv
India.com News Desk | August 8, 2019 6:25 PM IST
New Delhi: Hours after Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad was detained at the Srinagar airport on Thur...
Now CPM General Secretary Sitaram Yechury Wants to Visit Srinagar, Writes to J&K Guv
indiacom
2019-08-08T07:25:09+00:00
2019-08-08T07:25:09+00:00
Sitaram Yechury
India.com
It is Anti-Federal And Anti-Democratic: CPM on 'One Nation, One Election'
India.com News Desk | June 19, 2019 9:25 PM IST
New Delhi: In a sharp difference of opinion on holding simultaneous elections, the Communist Party o...
It is Anti-Federal And Anti-Democratic: CPM on 'One Nation, One Election'
indiacom
2019-06-19T10:25:51+00:00
2019-06-19T10:25:51+00:00
Sitaram Yechury
India.com
EC's Decision on Matching VVPAT Goes Against SC Order: Sitaram Yechury
PTI | May 22, 2019 7:12 PM IST
CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury on Wednesday said the Election Commission's rejection of th...
EC's Decision on Matching VVPAT Goes Against SC Order: Sitaram Yechury
indiacom
2019-05-22T08:12:01+00:00
2019-05-22T08:12:01+00:00
Sitaram Yechury
India.com
CPI(M) Writes to EC, Demands Re-Polling in West Bengal's Diamond Harbour
PTI | May 21, 2019 6:52 PM IST
The CPI(M) has written to the Election Commission (EC) alleging "large-scale irregularities" in the ...
CPI(M) Writes to EC, Demands Re-Polling in West Bengal's Diamond Harbour
indiacom
2019-05-21T07:52:59+00:00
2019-05-21T07:52:59+00:00
Sitaram Yechury
India.com
Yechury Questions Timing of Election Commission's Campaigning Ban in WB
PTI | May 16, 2019 12:45 AM IST
Questioning the Election Commission's decision to end campaigning in West Bengal from 10 pm on Thurs...
Yechury Questions Timing of Election Commission's Campaigning Ban in WB
indiacom
2019-05-15T13:45:01+00:00
2019-05-15T13:45:01+00:00
Sitaram Yechury
India.com
Ramdev Lodges FIR Against Sitaram Yechury For Linking 'Hinduism With Violence'
India.com News Desk | May 5, 2019 8:09 AM IST
New Delhi: An FIR has been lodged against Communist Party of India Marxist or CPI(M) general secreta...
Ramdev Lodges FIR Against Sitaram Yechury For Linking 'Hinduism With Violence'
indiacom
2019-05-04T21:09:36+00:00
2019-05-04T21:09:36+00:00
Sitaram Yechury
India.com
Shiv Sena Attacks Sitaram Yechury Over His 'Violent Hindu' Remarks, Says CPM Leader Should Change His First Name
India.com News Desk | May 4, 2019 7:24 AM IST
New Delhi: Hitting out at Sitaram Yechury over his remark that "Ramayana and Mahabharata are specime...
Shiv Sena Attacks Sitaram Yechury Over His 'Violent Hindu' Remarks, Says CPM Leader Should Change His First N
indiacom
2019-05-03T20:24:32+00:00
2019-05-03T20:24:32+00:00
Sitaram Yechury
India.com
CPI(M)'s Yechury Slams RSS For Claiming Hindus Can't be Violent
India.com News Desk | May 3, 2019 8:25 AM IST
New Delhi: Secretary General of CPI(M) Sitaram Yechury has slammed the right-wing outfits for associ...
CPI(M)'s Yechury Slams RSS For Claiming Hindus Can't be Violent
indiacom
2019-05-02T21:25:08+00:00
2019-05-02T21:25:08+00:00
Sitaram Yechury
India.com
Fielding Thakur is BJP's Way of Consolidating Hindutva Vote-Bank: Yechury
PTI | May 2, 2019 7:47 PM IST
Fielding "undertrial terror accused" Pragya Thakur as a candidate for the Lok Sabha polls is BJP's w...
Fielding Thakur is BJP's Way of Consolidating Hindutva Vote-Bank: Yechury
indiacom
2019-05-02T08:47:05+00:00
2019-05-02T08:47:05+00:00
Sitaram Yechury
India.com
CPI(M)'s Sitaram Yechury Lashes Out at EC Over Clean Chit to PM Modi
PTI | May 1, 2019 8:23 PM IST
Lashing out at the Election Commission over the clean chit given to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on ...
CPI(M)'s Sitaram Yechury Lashes Out at EC Over Clean Chit to PM Modi
indiacom
2019-05-01T09:23:44+00:00
2019-05-01T09:23:44+00:00
Sitaram Yechury
India.com
Modi, Mamata Practising Competitive Communalism in West Bengal: CPI(M)
PTI | April 30, 2019 11:41 PM IST
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are practicing "competitive communal...
Modi, Mamata Practising Competitive Communalism in West Bengal: CPI(M)
indiacom
2019-04-30T12:41:05+00:00
2019-04-30T12:41:05+00:00
Sitaram Yechury
India.com
Sitaram Yechury Asks EC to Act Strongly Against BJP For Misuse of Armed Forces
PTI | April 12, 2019 6:55 PM IST
CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury on Friday asked the Election Commission to act strongly aga...
Sitaram Yechury Asks EC to Act Strongly Against BJP For Misuse of Armed Forces
indiacom
2019-04-12T07:55:39+00:00
2019-04-12T07:55:39+00:00
Sitaram Yechury
India.com
BJP Using Ram Mandir to Sharpen Communal Polarisation: Sitaram Yechury
PTI | April 8, 2019 7:11 PM IST
The mention of the Ram Mandir in the BJP manifesto is no surprise, CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram ...
BJP Using Ram Mandir to Sharpen Communal Polarisation: Sitaram Yechury
indiacom
2019-04-08T08:11:43+00:00
2019-04-08T08:13:20+00:00
Sitaram Yechury
India.com
EC Clean Chit to Modi on Mission Shakti 'Narrow Interpretation': CPI-M
IANS | March 30, 2019 9:40 PM IST
A day after the Election Commission (EC) gave clean chit to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his "Mis...
EC Clean Chit to Modi on Mission Shakti 'Narrow Interpretation': CPI-M
indiacom
2019-03-30T10:40:00+00:00
2019-03-30T10:40:00+00:00
Sitaram Yechury
India.com
CPI-M's Sitaram Yechury Accuses Narendra Modi of Violating Model Code of Conduct With Mission Shakti Announcement
IANS | March 27, 2019 10:24 PM IST
The CPI-M on Wednesday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of violating the Model Code of Conduct b...
CPI-M's Sitaram Yechury Accuses Narendra Modi of Violating Model Code of Conduct With Mission Shakti Announce
indiacom
2019-03-27T11:24:25+00:00
2019-03-27T11:24:25+00:00
Sitaram Yechury
India.com
Yechury calls for unified movement to oust BJP in LS polls next year
PTI Feeds | November 25, 2018 8:09 PM IST
Agartala, Nov 25 (PTI) CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury Sunday called for a unified movement...
Yechury calls for unified movement to oust BJP in LS polls next year
indiacom
2018-11-25T09:09:22+00:00
2018-11-25T09:09:22+00:00
Sitaram Yechury
India.com
BJP failed to perform, resorting to communal polarisation: Yechury
PTI Feeds | November 16, 2018 9:36 PM IST
Jaipur, Nov 16 (PTI) CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury Friday said the BJP governments at the...
BJP failed to perform, resorting to communal polarisation: Yechury
indiacom
2018-11-16T10:36:24+00:00
2018-11-16T10:36:24+00:00
Sitaram Yechury
India.com
Modi Government Can't Handle Its Own Appointees, Says Sitaram Yechury on RBI-Centre rift
India.com News Desk | October 31, 2018 7:04 PM IST
New Delhi: Taking a dig at the RBI-government rift, CPI-M General Secretary Sitaram Yechury on Wedne...
Modi Government Can't Handle Its Own Appointees, Says Sitaram Yechury on RBI-Centre rift
indiacom
2018-10-31T08:04:15+00:00
2018-10-31T08:04:44+00:00
Sitaram Yechury
India.com
Why not triple talaq line to Sabarimala, Yechury asks Centre
PTI Feeds | October 19, 2018 7:18 PM IST
Chennai, Oct 19 (PTI) CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury Friday demanded to know why the Centr...
Why not triple talaq line to Sabarimala, Yechury asks Centre
indiacom
2018-10-19T08:18:56+00:00
2018-10-19T08:18:56+00:00
Sitaram Yechury
India.com