Sitaram Yechury, a member of the Rajya Sabha and politburo member, was unanimously elected the new general secretary of the CPI(M), succeeding Prakash Karat, here on Sunday, the concluding day of the twenty-first congress of the party.
Addressing the delegates after being elected general secretary, he said he would strive to strengthen the party and also to achieve left unity. The party would fight the forces of communalism and the neo-liberal policies of the present Government. It would act in unison with other democratic and secular forces in the country in the endeavour.
Later he participated in a rally. The 16-member politburo was announced on the occasion.
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