HYDERABAD/KARIMNAGAR: Freedom fighter, senior Communist leader and former MLA Chennamaneni Rajeshwara Rao passed away here on Monday following a prolonged illness. He was 93. The funeral will be held at Whisper Valley on Tuesday.
The six-time MLA Rajeshwara Rao won from Choppadandi once and five times from Sircilla in Karimnagar.
Born in Marupaka in Vemulawada on August 31, 1923, Rao was known for his intelligence, foresight and commitment for the cause of masses. He took membership of the united Communist Party of India (CPI) at the age of 19. He took active part in the independence struggle and participated in the Quit India Movement.
Later, he played an active role for liberation of Telangana from 1947 to 1951 and participated in the Telangana Armed Struggle. Later, Rajeshwara Rao joined Telugu Desam Party in 1999 and represented Sircilla seat till 2004. Chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao said the last rites of Rao would be performed with police honours. Rao’s son Ch Ramesh is TRS MLA from Vemulawada and his brother Ch Vidyasagar Rao is the governor of Maharashtra.