CM Pays Tribute To Dharma Bhiksham

Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy on Sunday called upon the people of the state to emulate the selfless service rendered by veteran Communist leader Bommagani Dharma Bhiksham (90), who died on Saturday.

Talking to mediapersons after placing a wreath on the late leader's body at Makhdoom Bhavan in Himayathnagar, Kiran Kumar Reddy said that the life of the veteran Communist leader was a perfect example of selfless service for the poor and the downtrodden.

"The state has lost an important leader who worked relentlessly for the welfare of backward classes," he added.

Bommagani Dharma Bhiksham, a freedom fighter and former MP, passed away on Saturday evening after a prolonged illness, while undergoing treatment at a private hospital. Dharma Bhiksham had earlier slipped and fractured his thigh-bone, and was admitted to Kamineni Hospital, where he passed away.

He was a bachelor, who has left behind an adopted son.

The veteran CPI leader had been elected to the Lok Sabha from Nalgonda in 1991 and 1996. He had also represented the district thrice in the Legislative Assembly.

Dharma Bhiksham had taken part in the Telangana armed struggle against the then Nizam rule, and was jailed on several occasions.

The departed leader's body was kept at Makhdoom Bhavan, to enable people to pay their last respects to the freedom fighter and life-long social worker.

Besides the Chief Minister, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leaders, including its President N Chandrababu Naidu, Devender Goud, and Motkupalli Narsimhulu; Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) President K Chandrasekhar Rao and Floor leader Etela Rajender; and Left leaders K Narayana, B V Raghavulu and Gunda Mallesh, paid their last respects to the late Communist leader. Former MP Y S Jaganmohan Reddy sent a condolence message.

The veteran leader's last rites were performed later at Suryapet in Nalgonda district.