Condolence message from Dimitris Koutsoumbas, GS of the CC of the KKE,

on the passing away of comrade Sitaram Yechury, GS of the CC of the CPI (M)

To the Central Committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist)

Dear comrades,

It is with great sadness that we have learnt of the untimely death of comrade Sitaram Yechury, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist). Personally and on behalf of the CC of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), I express our sincere condolences to the CC of the CPI(M), to the members and cadres of the Party, to his family and friends.

Comrade Sitaram made a significant contribution to the international communist movement and the International Meetings of Communist and Workers' Parties (IMCWP), faithful to the principles of proletarian internationalism. He was particularly well known among Greek communistsand contributed to strengthening the close relations between our parties. As General Secretary of the CPI(M), he made an official visit to Greecein September 2016 at the invitation of our Party, and spoke at the main events of the Festival of KNE-Odigitis in Athens.

Comrade Sitaramhas served the interests of the working class and the Indian people in his 50-year-long course in the people's and communist movement in India, fighting through the CPI(M) in various positions of responsibility: from the student movement, the particular circumstances of the 'Emergency' —when he was imprisoned for his political activities—to his participation in the workers' - people's struggles and the political strife as a member of parliament and, of course, as the leader of the CPI(M) since 2015.

Dear comrades,

We express our deep sorrow at the death of comrade Sitaram. Please convey our sincere condolences to his family and friends.

Comradely,

Dimitris Koutsoumbas

GS of the CC of the KKE