Veteran freedom fighter and former minister Konda Lakshman Bapuji died at his residence at Ashoknagar here on Friday.
The nonagenarian leader, who was to complete his 97 summers on September 27, bid adieu to the world at 9 am on Friday though he was hale and hearty. The late leader’s mortal remains were shifted to Padmashali Bhavan at Koti where it will be kept till Saturday to enable people to pay their last respects to him.
Several leaders, cutting across party lines, visited Padmashali Bhavan and paid homage to the departed soul. While the elderly recalled his public life in silence, some youths, overcome by emotion, shouted ‘Telangana Bapuji Amar Rahe’. Even in the moment of gloom they demanded installation of his statue on Tank Bund. Many weavers recalled his efforts for the community’s uplift.
The Assembly observed silence for few minutes in his respect. Mourning his loss, the CM announced that Bapuji would be laid to rest with full state honours.
Memorial for Konda Lakshman in Hyd
Freedom fighter Konda Lakshman Bapuji’s funeral will be conducted on Saturday with police honours and a statue of the veteran leader will be erected and a memorial built in the city.
This was announced by chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy in the state Assembly on Friday after the House adopted a condolence motion. TRS and TDP members who stalled the proceedings resumed their seats to pay tributes to the departed soul. Several legislators said formation of separate Telangana state would be a fitting tribute to Bapuji who had relinquished ministerial posts and jumped into the Telangana movement.
The Speaker had initially refused to allow the members to speak stating that there was no convention. But opposition leader N Chandrababu Naidu recalled instances of members speaking about Jayaprakash Narayan and other national leaders in the past and wanted the Speaker to allow the members to speak a few words about Lakshman Bapuji.
Naidu asked the government to erect a statue and develop a memorial in the city in memory of Bapuji. “Konda Lakshman floated Nava Telangana Praja Party and undertook a padayatra from India Gate to Parliament for his objective _ statehood for Telangana.”
TRS floor leader E Rajender said Bapuji had always stressed the need for united movement for a separate Telangana state. Independent member Nagam Janardhan Reddy said Bapuji fought for Telangana till he breathed his last.
YSR Cong leader YS Vijayalakshmi said Lakshman always followed the Gandhian way to conduct movements.
Governor Mourns Konda Laxman
Governor ESL Narasimhan, in his condolence message on Friday, described Konda Laxman, who died here in the morning, as a great freedom fighter and politician who served people.
Lok Satta Party chief Jayaprakash Narayan said Laxman always used to stress the importance of simple life in public life. He had played a key role in liberation of the princely state of Hyderabad.
Rajya Sabha member V Hanumantha Rao on Friday expressed his shock and grief over the death of freedom fighter and veteran Congress leader Konda Lakshman Bapuji.