Dr Kolluri Chiranjeevi, a prominent participant in the first and second-generation Telangana agitations, passed away today following a prolonged battle with ill health. He is survived by his wife and daughter.
The 74-year-old donned many caps in his life. An MBBS graduate, he had worked with the Peoples War Group.
He was a close aide of BSP founder Kanshi Ram, and had played a pivotal role in the party's growth in undivided Andhra Pradesh. Further, the septuagenarian had also served as the editor of the Bahujana Patrika. He had also been the convener of the Telangana Movement Founders' Forum.
Following a fall-out with the BSP, Chiranjeevi then committed himself to working for the welfare of the poor and the marginalised.
(When TRS leader and Telangana IT and Industries Minister heard about the activist's ill health, he immediately
extended financial aid of Rs 10 lakh to the latter's family, to help pay for the treatment.)
Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao and several other leaders condoled Chiranjeevi's passing.
The CM conveyed his condolences to the bereaved family. He said that the activist used his qualifications and intellectual attainments to work for the downtrodden in society, and that the latter was a role model to all the people of the state.
Ministers T Harish Rao, K T Rama Rao and Etala Rajender also expressed their condolences.
KTR said that the void created by the death of Chiranjeevi could not be filled by anybody. Many leaders also praised his contribution to the statehood movement.