Telugu Desam Politburo member and former union minister Kinjarapu Yerrannaidu died in a road accident that took place near Dandanapeta of Ranasthalam mandal, 23 km away from Srikakulam, when his vehicle hit a tanker.
The accident occurred at around 2 am on Friday and immediately he was shifted to Srikakulam KIMS hospital where doctors tried in vain to save him. They initially arranged ventilator but his body could not respond to the treatment. Then the doctors declared his death at 3.30 am.
Telugu Desam District president Chowdary Babji and District TDP Coordinator Kalisetti Appalanaidu who were also travelling along with Mr. Yerrannaidu escaped with injuries. They are also being treated at the KIMS hospital.
Mr. Yerrannaidu (55) is survived by wife Vijayalakshmi, son and daughter.
He joined politics in 1982 inspired by N.T. Ramarao. He was elected MLA for four times and entered Parliament by winning continuously from 1996 to 2004. For the first time, he was defeated in 2009 elections losing to the Congress candidate Killi Kruparani.
Mr.Yerranaidu’s last rites will be held in his village Nimmada on Friday evening. His brother K.Atchannaidu, former MLA, is making arrangements .
Several Telugu Desam leaders including the party president N.Chandrababu Naidu expressed shock over the sudden demise of Yerrannaidu who proved his mettle and strived hard for the welfare of backward class sections of the society.
This report has been corrected for a factual error. Mr Naidu was declared dead by hosipital authorities at 3.30 am and not as mentioned earlier.