Senior TDP leader Gali Muddukrishnama Naidu dies

Senior leader of ruling TDP and former Andhra Pradesh minister Gali Muddukrishnama Naidu died due to dengue and related health complications at a hospital in Hyderabad early today. He was 70.

The TDP leader, also a sitting member of the state Legislative Council, was admitted to a super-speciality hospital in Hyderabad on Monday after he complained of fever.

"He was diagnosed with dengue shock syndrome (along) with multi-organ failure. Inspite of full resuscitation, he could not be revived and declared dead at 2.50 am today," a medical bulletin issued by the hospital said.

Muddukrishnama Naidu is survived by wife, two sons and a daughter.

He had served as a minister in the cabinet of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) founder-president, N T Rama Rao, in the undivided Andhra Pradesh, and held portfolios like education and forests.

State Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister N China Rajappa and other TDP leaders condoled the veteran leader's death.

Muddukrishnama Naidu, who hailed from Chittoor district, began his career as a lecturer before joining politics on the invitation of N T Rama Rao in 1983.

He was elected to the state assembly for six terms from Puttur and Nagari constituencies.

He also served as a member of the TDP politburo, the party's highest decision-making body.

Muddukrishnama Naidu had quit the TDP in 2004 and joined the Congress. However, four years later he returned to the parent party.

He lost the 2014 Assembly election but was made an MLC two years later.

"Gali played a key role in the TDP's political journey.

His services to the party and the people will be remembered forever," chief minister Naidu said in a statement and offered his sympathies to the bereaved family.

Assembly Speaker Kodela Sivaprasada Rao, former chief minister of the undivided Andhra Pradesh, N Kiran Kumar Reddy, Telangana roads and buildings minister T Nageswara Rao and Leader of Opposition in the Telangana Legislative Assembly, K Jana Reddy, also paid their last respects to the departed leader.

Later, the Chief Minister paid homage to the mortal remains of Muddukrishnama Naidu at his native village Venkatramapuram, about 30 KM from Tirupati in Chittoor district.

Several state ministers accompanied Chandrababu Naidu.

The mortal remains of the late leader were brought to Tirupati by air and then taken to Venkatramapuram by road.

The cremation is expected to be held at the village tomorrow, TDP sources said.