Former BJP president and Dalit leader Bangaru Laxman was on Sunday bid a tearful adieu as his mortal remains were consigned to flames amidst slogans “Long Live Bangaru Laxman” and “Bharat Mata ki Jai”. The last rites were performed at Panjagutta crematorium. His son performed the rites.
Bangaru Laxman passed away on Saturday following a brief illness. The funeral ceremony was attended by a large number of leaders, including BJP patriarch LK Advani, M Venkaiah Naidu, Prakash Javadeker, general secretary Muralidhar Rao, former Union minister Sanjay Paswan, party organising secretary Ramlal, Bandaru Dattatraya, party state president G Kishan Reddy, Ch Vidyasagar Rao, K Lakshman and N Indrasena Reddy.
Despite heavy rain, admirers and party workers gathered in large numbers at the crematorium.
Earlier, TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu paid tributes to Bangaru Lakshman at the latter’s residence. CPI state secretary K Narayana, TRS leaders Kadiam Srihari and G Vinod Kumar, MP Manda Jagannadham, MLC PJ Chandrasekhar Rao, former MP Krishnam Raju, CPI leader G Venkat Rao and others paid tributes to the departed leader at BJP office.
After paying homage to Laxman, Advani said BJP had lost a good worker who dedicated his life to the party and the people of the nation. Laxman represented the Dalit community and was respected by one and all, he said. “Bangaru and Venkaiah Naidu had played a vital role in strengthening the party in the South.
“The party will be forever indebted to him. His efforts will not go waste and the party will carry forward his work,” he said. The party will stand by the family members of Laxman, he said.
Commenting on the present political scenario, the senior BJP leader said the party will do well in the ensuing elections. “Opposition has made a lot of mistakes. This will reflect in the coming polls,” he said. Venkaiah Naidu said that Bangaru Laxman had a special place in the party. “He gave up his government job and dedicated his life to the party. From a small worker, he rose to the level of party president through dedication and hardwork,” he remarked.
Earlier, his body was brought to party office for cadre and leaders to pay homage. Later in the afternoon, the body was taken in a procession to the Punjagutta crematorium.