New Delhi, Sept. 12 -- CPI(M) leaders on Saturday paid floral tribute to former party General Secretary Sitaram Yechury on his second death anniversary, with current party general secretary MA Baby remembering him as a defender of India's syncretic culture, constitutional values and the idea of India.

Speaking to reporters on the occasion, MA Baby said Yechury's death was a major loss not only for the CPI(M) and the Left movement but also for forces working towards preserving India's syncretic culture.

"The death of Comrade Sitaram Yechury was a heavy blow to our party and the Left movement, but it was also a heavy blow to the forces that wanted to develop a syncretic culture in Indian society. He was a defender of the idea of India and...