In a tweet, CPI (M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury informed on April 22 that his elder son Ashish Yechury (34) died of COVID-19 in the morning at 5:30 am.

"It is with great sadness that I have to inform you that I lost my elder son, Ashish Yechury to COVID-19 this morning," Yechury said in the tweet.

"I want to thank all those who gave us hope and who treated him - doctors, nurses, frontline health workers, sanitation workers and innumerable others who stood by us," he added.

It is with great sadness that I have to inform that I lost my elder son, Ashish Yechury to COVID-19 this morning. I want to thank all those who gave us hope and who treated him - doctors, nurses, frontline health workers, sanitation workers and innumerable others who stood by us.

— Sitaram Yechury (@SitaramYechury) April 22, 2021

It may be mentioned here that Ashish Yechury would have turned 35 on June 9.

He was admitted to Gurgaon's Medanta Hospital and he was said to recovering well after admitting to the hospital two weeks ago.

Ashish, who studied at the Asian College of Journalism, Chennai, worked in several publications, including The Times of India in Delhi, before moving to Pune.

Journalists who worked with him remembered him as a mild-mannered and warm professional who was knowledgeable and well-read.

The CPI(M) Politburo issued a statement announcing the death and offering its condolences to the family.

"We are deeply sorry to announce the passing away this morning (22 April) of Ashish Yechury, son of Sitaram Yechury and Indrani Mazumdar," the statement said.

"He died of Covid related complications. He was 35 years old," the statement added.

"The Polit Bureau conveys its deepest condolences to Sitaram and Indrani, his wife Swati, his sister Akhila and all other members of the bereaved family," the statement further stated.

Condolences for the family also poured in on social media as news broke of his death.

"Deeply saddened and pained to hear about the loss of Ashish Yechury. I offer my heartfelt condolences to Comrade @SitaramYechury, his family and friends at this difficult time," tweeted DMK leader MK Stalin.

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said he was devastated by the news.

"There is no greater loss for a parent to endure. May you find the strength to bear the inexpressible grief of your loss. My heart goes out to you at this painful time," NDTV reported quoting Tharoor.

TMC MP Derek O'Brien also offered his condolences.