Yechury is new CPM general secretary - Sitaram Yechury, 62, took over- Navbharat Times Photodhamal

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Sitaram Yechury, 62, took over as the fifth general secretary of CPM on Sunday as the unanimous choice of the party's new 91-member central committee. He takes over from Prakash Karat.

Pic Courtesy : PTI

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TOI was the first to report of Yechury's imminent elevation on February 6.

In This Pic : Sitaram Yechury

Pic Courtesy : PTI

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Expected to usher in large-scale changes, Yechury's election as general secretary met with some challenge from the Kerala committee which preferred 77-year-old S Ramachandran Pillai.

In This Pic : Sitaram Yechury

Pic Courtesy : BCCL

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In fact, Saturday turned into a night of long knives as the politburo met to discuss Karat's successor. Sources said after the names of new central committee members were discussed, the leadership issue was taken up. After one round, it was clear that Kerala comrades had some reservations on Yechury. Past midnight, when leaders emerged out of the meeting, no one was willing to talk.

In This Pic : Sitaram Yechury

Pic Courtesy : BCCL

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There were more conspiracy theories with media persons trying to analyze the body language of leaders, most of them in their 60s and 70s, who anyway looked tired after the long meeting. One leader said the matter would be resolved on Sunday morning.

In This Pic : Sitaram Yechury

Pic Courtesy : PTI