CPM Leader Katta Venkata Narasaiah Passes Away

Veteran CPM leader and former Madhira MLA Katta Venkata Narasaiah passed away at his residence on Friday night.

He had been suffering from a variety of age-related health issues for quite some time, and was receiving treatment for them in his hometown in Khammam district.

The 87-year-old is survived by his wife and son.

Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao expressed deep sorrow at the demise of the former MLA, and said that he would be remembered for years to come as a leader who stood by the principles and ideals of communism unwaveringly, and led an austere life based on the communist philosophy.

Conveying his condolences to the bereaved family, the CM praised the politician for having devoted his entire life to the service of the people of the state.

Khammam MP Nama Nageshwara Rao too recalled the efforts of the veteran politician to develop Madhira and to uplift the farmers of the region.

Many CPM leaders also expressed their grief at Narasaiah's death, and said that his passing had left a void in the party that could not be filled.

They added that he was a role model for the younger leaders of the party, and had inspired them with his tireless commitment to the disempowered and marginalised.

The former MLA's enduring impact on the CPM, despite his resignation in 2009, was visible from the fact that the party's district leadership bestowed on him the highest funereal honour - that of draping the casket with the party flag.

Narasaiah had joined the CPM in 1975, and had served as the party's division secretary for 20 years. Though he was a popular and well-loved leader, and had won the Madhira constituency seat in the 1997 and 2004 Assembly elections, he resigned from the party in 2009 citing ideological differences with its leadership. He said that the party had strayed too far from the ideals of communism. However, he continued to work for the welfare of the people even after that, and was actively involved in improving the irrigation facilities of Madhira.