Cutting across party lines but primarily bound by the Telangana sentiment, political leaders paid their homage and bid adieu to seven-time MP and former Union Minister G. Venkataswamy (85), who was better known in the State as ‘Kaka’ . Full State honours were accorded to the leader.
The last rites were conducted at the Panjagutta crematorium. Earlier, a host of leaders and cadres from across all political parties made their way to his residence on Raj Bhavan and also to the Gandhi Bhavan where his body was kept for an hour to enable people to pay their respects.
Among those who paid homage were literally over a hundred sitting and former MPs, MLCs, MLAs, Ministers and leaders from several political parties.
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Those who visited his residence and paid homage included Chairman of the Telangana Legislative Council, K. Swamy Goud, Chief Ministers K. Chandrasekhar Rao (Telangana), N. Chandrababu Naidu (Andhra Pradesh), YSR Congress president Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy, film actor-turned Member of Parliament K. Chiranjeevi, Leader of Opposition in the Telangana Council K. Jana Reddy, Rajya Sabha Member K. Keshav Rao, Telangana Ministers Naini Narsimha Reddy, Pocharam Srinivas Reddy and Indrakaran Reddy and Chairman of the Telangana Joint Action Committee Prof. M. Kodandaram.
Considering his lifetime’s loyalty to the Congress, AICC vice-president Rahul Gandhi and AICC general secretary Digvijay Singh were present at the crematorium to pay their respects.
Others present there included MP K. Keshav Rao, Telangana Ministers T. Harish Rao, Jogu Ramanna and Tummala Nageswara Rao. The Telangana unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party was represented by K. Laxman.
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At the Gandhi Bhavan, many people, especially those from the poorer sections of society could not hold back their tears.
In his lifetime, Venkatawamy provided accommodation in the form of huts to thousands of people and endeared himself to improving their lot.