RAJAHMUNDRY: Freedom fighter and first MP of Rajahmundry Kaneti Mohan Rao (97) was cremated at Patavala, his native village in Tallarevu mandal Saturday. Rao died in the government general hospital in Kakinada Friday night.
Rao was elected to the Lok Sabha on the CPI ticket in 1952. He was an embodiment of honesty and simplicity.
He was felicitated by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and former Lok Sabha speaker Meira Kumar in June last year.
It may be mentioned that Rao used to receive a pension of `1,400 till two years back and later it was stopped. When the issue was brought to the notice of Manmohan Singh, he immediately intervened and revived it and also enhanced the pension amount.
It was said that Rao had celebrated his election victory by going round the city on a cycle and also used to pedal from Parliament to his quarters in New Delhi.
He is survived by two daughters and a son.
Deputy chief minister Nimmakayala Chinna Rajappa, minister for finance Yanamala Ramakrishnudu and many others in the district mourned Mohan Rao’s death.