Former MLA of Anakapalle and veteran leader of CPI K. Govinda Rao, who passed away in Hyderabad on Tuesday, was leader of many successful struggles the party launched in this area in the past.
Govinda Rao belonged to the time of undivided Communist Party of India and was actively involved in several land agitations conducted in the plain and Agency areas of the then combined Visakhapatnam district (comprising of the present north coastal Andhra districts). He got nearly 2,000 acres distributed to poor farmers in Cheedika and Rebaka villages in Chintapalli mandal and Kesavaram in Payakaraopeta mandal and led agitations for distribution of mokasa lands in Seetakandi and Nimmagedda areas in Golugonda mandal. His work among the poor helped him to get elected three times form Anakapalle Assembly constituency in 1962, 1967 and 1978. During the agitation for establishing steel plant at Visakhapatnam he resigned as MLA at the party’s direction. Born in Visakhapatnam, Govinda Rao actively participated in students agitations while studying at M.R. College, Vizianagaram. He was arrested and imprisoned at Bellary jail during Quit India movement.