Deshini Chinna Mallaiah, former CPI legislator from Indurthi Assembly segment in erstwhile Karimnagar district, passed away while undergoing treatment in Hyderabad on Saturday morning.
A native of Bommanapalli village in Chigurumamidi mandal, Chinna Mallaiah belonging to Goud community, started his career as toddy tapper. He started his political career as courier during the Telangana Armed Struggle launched by the CPI in 1947 for the liberation of Telangana region from the clutches of Nizams.
He became sarpanch of his native Bommanapalli in 1957 and won twice. He was elected unanimously as sarpanch on two occasions till 1978. He was sarpanch of the village for a total of 21 years. He first became legislator from Indurthi Assembly segment for AP Legislative Assembly in 1978. He lost in 1983 elections and again won from the segment in 1985, 1989 and 1994, a hat-trick.
He was associated with the formation of Telangana Rashtra Samithi in 2001 and played a crucial role during the statehood movement. He was made TRS political affairs committee chairman and party vice-president. He is known for his simplicity, integrity and statesmanship qualities.
Meanwhile, condolences poured in over the demise of the four-time legislator. Karimnagar MP B. Vinod Kumar said that Mr Mallaiah played a crucial role during the Telangana Armed Struggle and strengthening of CPI in erstwhile Karimnagar district. He recollected his association with TRS and suggestions during the statehood movement.
TPCC vice-president and former MP Ponnam Prabhakar said that the district had lost a committed and sincere leader, who lived for the cause of the downtrodden. He said that Mr Mallaiah played crucial role in the construction of Gouda hostel in Hyderabad.
Husnabad legislator V. Satish Babu also condoled the death of veteran politician and cancelled all his programmes in the Assembly constituency as a mark of respect on Saturday.
