HYDERABAD: The decision of the BRS government not to accord state honours for five-time MLA from Secunderabad Cantonment, Gyani Sayanna, who died on Sunday afternoon while undergoing treatment for heart and kidney related ailments at a private hospital in Secunderabad, sparked criticism from his supporters.
As his body was being taken to the cremation ground in East Marredpally, Sayanna's supporters chanted slogans criticising the government for not honouring their leader. They asked why if the government could extend state honours to film actors from neighbouring Andhra Pradesh on their demise, why not a five-time MLA?
Sayanna's supporters alleged that the leader was denied state honours because he was a Dalit, and they raised Jai Bhim slogans while placing Sayanna's body on the pyre at 5.30 pm. Their protest lasted for two hours.
Ministers Talasani Srinivas Yadav, Ch Malla Reddy, Assembly Deputy Speaker and Secunderabad legislator T. Padma Rao Goud, who was with Sayanna’s family till 7 pm, among others, attempted to pacify the followers but failed.
Finally, Sayanna's daughter Niveditha persuaded the agitators, who had been protesting for two hours, to allow the cremation to be completed. The ceremony began at 7.30 pm after the intervention of Sayanna’s family.
Ministers, who did not want to be quoted, defended themselves claiming that there was a miscommunication, and that they did not get any instructions from Chief Minister Chandrashekar Rao, Chief Secretary A.Santhi Kumari, or the local mandal revenue officer.
On Monday morning, Srinivas Yadav visited the departed leader's office and reviewed the arrangements for the funeral, while a tense situation prevailed at the crematorium as his followers accused the government of making poor arrangements.
Earlier in the day, Sayanna’s body was kept at the Karkhana camp office for his followers to pay their last respects at 10 am. BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao visited the Karkhana camp office to pay his last respects. Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao had called on the family on Saturday.
Among those who paid their homage included ministers Indrakaran Reddy, Satyavathi Rathod, Vemula Prashanth Reddy, Sabitha Indra Reddy, Speaker Pocharam Srinivas Reddy, Legislative Council Chairman Gutha Sukender Reddy, Council Deputy Chairman Banda Prakash.
Union minister G. Kishan Reddy, who paid his last respects to Sayyana at his Ashoknagar residence, remarked that the five-time legislator had no enemies and was friendly with leaders of all political parties.
The body was carried to the East Marredpally crematorium at 3 pm.
