The Hindu : Bhavanam death condoled

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Apr 07, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Andhra Pradesh-Hyderabad

Bhavanam death condoled

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD April. 6. The Chief Minister, N. Chandrababu Naidu, expressed profound grief at the demise of the former Chief Minister, Bhvanam Venkatram. On learning about his demise, the Chief Minister rushed to the Mahavir Hospital to pay respects to the departed leader. The Leader of the Opposition, Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy, and other leaders also visited the hospital.

Mr. Naidu recalled Venkatram's valuable services to the State as the Chief Minister and as Minister handling important portfolios like education.''He was a gentleman to the core, an able and efficient administrator and was endowed with progressive thoughts'', the Chief Minister said adding that he had always worked for the welfare of weaker sections and the rural masses. Mr.Naidu conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.

State mourning: An official press release said Bhavanam's funeral will take place with full State honours and a three-day State mourning would be observed in the State.

Dr. Rajasekhara Reddy said the death of Venkatram was a great loss to the Congress party and ''to me personally''. He said both of themworked closely for the welfare of the people of the State. ''He was always affectionate to me'', Dr. Reddy said. The Union Minister of State for Urban Development, Bandaru Dattatreya, recalled the services rendered by Venkatram to the State.

The APCC president, M.Satyanarayana, expressing shock, said Venkatram served the people and won their affection and his death was a great loss to the State.

Born in Gollapadu in Muppalla mandal of Guntur district in July 18, 1931, Venkatram practised law in Guntur and was personal assistant to the late Kandula Obul Reddy, Minister in erstwhile Andhra Government.

He joined the M. Channa Reddy Cabinet in 1978 and was nominated to the Legislative Council. Jayaprada, who was elected to the Assembly from Vinukonda in 1967, was member of the PV Narasimha Rao Cabinet.

Venkatram dropped the suffix 'Reddy' and continued in the Anjaiah Ministry that followed. He became Chief Minister in February 1982 and invited his old roommate NT Rama Rao for the swearing-in ceremony. After a brief stint, he made way for K. Vijayabhaskara Reddy 7 months later.

After being in political wilderness, he joined the Janata Dal of VP Singh and returned to the Congress. When Ram Vilas Paswan floated the Lok Jana Sakti, he was made president of the State unit.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Southern States

Stories in this Section

Bhavanam death condoled

Peace groups condemn Gujarat violence

Governor calls for consensus on economic issues

Police succour for militants now

Recruitment ban in Agriculture dept. goes

Cong. ready for debate on power sector management

IPS officers shuffled