Telangana-fighter Konda Laxman Bapuji passes away

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Noted freedom-fighter and Telangana protagonist Konda Laxman Bapuji passed away here on Friday.

He was 97 and is survived by wife Dr Shakuntala, two sons and a daughter. The mortal remains of Bapuji were kept at Padmashali Bhavan at Kacheguda. The funeral will take place on Saturday with full state honours.

Bapuji was first minister to resign for Telangana

The state Legislative Ass-embly paid homage to Ko-nda Laxman Bapuji who passed away on Friday.
Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy paid rich tributes to him and also announced a state funeral and a fitting memorial in the city.

Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan, Telugu Desam chief N. Chandrab-abu Naidu, PCC president Botsa Satyanarayana, TRS chief K. Chandrasekhar Rao, TRS Floor leader Etela Rajender, BJP chief G. Kishan Reddy, MPs, MLAs, MLCs and leaders of various political parties condoled his death.

TJAC convener M. Kodandaram demanded that the funeral be conducted at ‘Jala Drussyam’ near Boats Club on the banks of Hussainsagar where he lived for some time.

Born on September 27, 1915, in Wankidi village of Adilabad district in old Hyderabad state in a Padmashali family (weavers), Bapuji participated in various struggles, including the Quit India Movement in 1942, the Telangana armed struggle against the Nizams, Mulki agitation in 1952 and the Telangana movement of 1969.

A prominent socialist, he formed Akhila Bharat-iya Padmashali Sang. Bapuji served as Deputy Speaker from 1957 to 1960 and later joined the Brah-mananda Reddy Cabinet as a minister.

He was the first minister to resign demanding Telangana state.