The port city on Wednesday woke up to the shocking news of MLC and founder of GITAM Deemed to be University M.V.V.S. Murthi passing away in a car accident in Alaska of the US on Tuesday evening.
A sombre mood prevailed at his residence, as senior TDP leaders, Ministers and MLA poured in to condole the bereaved family as the day progressed. Former MLA Shobha Hymavathi and MLA Bandaru Satyanarayana were seen weeping inconsolably. Leaders across party lines paid their homage at the portrait of Dr. Murthi at his residence.
“Dr. Murthi was like my elder brother and it was him who held my hand when I entered politics. He was not only a mentor to me, but also for many leaders across party lines in the city. He was always open to suggestions and advice. His absence will be felt forever,” Bandaru Satyanarayana Murthy said.
MLA Vasupalli Ganesh said that Dr. Murthi was like a father figure to him. “It was Dr. Murthi who asked me to join politics and I consider him to be my political guru,” he said.
‘Trouble-shooter’
A visibly shocked HRD Minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao decribed Dr. Murthi as a trouble-shooter par excellence. “He was respected both by the party founder NTR and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu,” he said.
MLAs PVGR Naidu, Peela Govind and Velagapudi Ramakrishna Babu said Dr. Murthi’s absence would create a void in the political scenario in the city.
CPI national secretary K. Narayana described the former MP as a visionary who started a world-class university in Visakhapatnam, Hyderabad and Bengaluru and conveyed his condolences to the bereaved family.
“He had remained a loyal activist of the TDP and maintained cordial relationship with the members of all other parties. The State has lost a committed leader and educationist,” Mr. Narayana said.
Visakhapatnam MP K. Haribabu recalled the services of Dr. Murthi. “His death as an irreparable loss to the city,” he said.
