HYDERABAD: Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh Chief Ministers A. Revanth Reddy and N. Chandrababu Naidu led the state in condoling the death of former PCC president D. Srinivas, fondly known as DS.
Governor Radhakrishnan, expressing shock and grief, said that Srinivas had “tirelessly advocated for the formation of Telangana state and contributed significantly to its development as a senior political leader. His passing is a tremendous loss for Telangana."
Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatreya said that the death of Srinivas was a loss to national politics, and Telangana. Tripura Governor Indrasena Reddy also grieved the passing of the Congress leader.
Revanth Reddy, recalling Srinivas’s work as PCC chief in undivided Andhra Pradesh, said, “He rendered distinguished services to the Congress for a long time.” Revanth Reddy is likely to visit Nizamabad on Sunday for the last rites.
Naidu recalled the services of Srinivas and termed him as a dignified politician. Former chief minister BRS president K. Chandrashekar Rao, Union ministers G. Kishan Reddy and Bandi Sanjay expressed grief over death of Srinivas.
Kishan Reddy recalled that that he got an opportunity to work with Srinivas in the Assembly from 2004 to 2009 and received frequent encouragement from him. “DS always used to mingle with members of other parties and encouraged youngsters to join politics. He played a key role in the formation of separate Telangana”, Kishan Reddy said.
Union minister of state Bandi Sanjay recalled Srinivas’ role in the formation of the separate state. Srinivas started his life as a bank employee and joined politics and held different positions in his political life. “DS played a key role in convincing the party high command to include separate Telangana in the Congress manifesto in 2004 elections,” Sanjay said.
Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, ministers D. Sridhar Babu, Ponnam Prabhakar, BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao, Siddipet MLA T. Harish Rao, former PCC president V. Hanumantha Rao and former MPs, MLAs and other senior leaders visited the residence of Srinivas in MLAs colony and paid last respects.
Irrigation minister and former PCC president N. Uttam Kumar Reddy and others expressed their condolences to the bereaved family members. Minister Konda Surekha said Srinivas played a key role and worked hard to strengthen the Congress in the state.
As per the last wish of Srinivas, Bhatti and other Congress leaders draped the National Flag on the mortal remains of the veteran leader. The friends of Srinivas, who were present at that time, expressed happiness and said that the last wish of the tall leader was fulfilled.
The flag was flown half-mast at Gandhi Bhavan on Saturday. Floral tributes paid to the portrait of Srinivas. Srinivas had quit BRS and announced that he would join the Congress at an appropriate time.
