Rich tributes were paid to city first Mayor T. Venkateswara Rao, 97, here on Tuesday. His body was kept at Chandram Buildings for public to pay their respects. The people from all walks of lives and cutting across political affiliations paid tributes to him.
They recalled their association with him, his role in the development of city and Communist movement. Later, his body was taken out in a procession and handed over to Pinnamaneni Siddhartha Medical College, as per his wish, for research purpose.
MLAs, MLCs, former MLAs and MLCs, former mayors and corporators, leaders of various political parties from Krishna, Guntur and other districts descended on Chandram Buildings and placed wreaths on his body as a mark of respect. They said the death of TV was a loss to the party and city as well.
CPI State secretary K. Narayana said that TV played a pivotal role in building the party in the city and developing the Visalandhra. Hilly areas developed during his tenure, and poor got housing. Infrastructural facilities were developed and city witnessed rapid growth, he said.
Mylavaram MLA and TDP district president Devineni Umamaheswara Rao said that the TV’s vision regarding city development was worth emulating. CPI(M) State leader V. Umamaheswara Rao said that TV had incomparable memory and he was multi-faceted talent person. Samatha Party leader V.V. Krishna Rao said that TV acted as a bridge between old and present generation in the party. Former MLA K. Subba Raju recalled that he has 45 years association with TV.
Visalandhra Editorial Board Chairman Eedpuganti Nageswara Rao said that TV served Visalandhra in various capacities and strived for its development. Visalandhra Vignana Samithi chairman Chada Venkat Reddy recalled the TV’s role in strengthening of local bodies and implementation of 73rd and 74th constitutional amendment Acts.
Great loss
CPI district secretary Akkineni Vanaja, city secretary Donepudi Sankar, Mahila Samakhya State president P. Durga Bhavani, former mayors Jandhyala Sankar, Tadi Sakuntala, Panchumarthi Anuradha, Lanka Govindarajulu, M.V. Ratnabindu, Mallika Begum, CPI(M) district secretary R. Raghu, Municipal Commissioner G.S. Pandadas and others were present.
Krishna District Congress Committee president Naraharisetti Narasimha Rao said the death of the CPI leader was a great loss to the city and the State. He asked the youth to emulate the leader.
