Last journey of Mallu Swarajyam begins
The Hindu
Swarajyam was ailing for some time, and she breathed her last on March 19 evening
The body of Telangana Communist legend Mallu Swarajyam has started its final journey home, to Nalgonda from here March 20 morning.
Her mortal remains were preserved overnight at a private hospital where she breathed her last on March 19 evening. Swarajyam was 91 and had been ailing for sometime. Admitted to the hospital on March 1, for treatment of pneumonia, she battled for life for nearly three weeks.
The ‘CPI(M) family’ as decided on March 19, kept Swarajyam’s body at M.B. Bhavan, the party State headquarters, for viewing and paying last tributes starting 5:30 am.
Leaders from all parties, old timers and hundreds of cadres remembered her life and grieved with family members. She was covered in rose petals and a portrait of her with a raised fist prominently read viplava joharlu.
According to senior CPI leader Narayana, Mallu Swarajyam was one of the last-phase women Communist leaders who united and strengthened movements for people’s cause. A strong voice and a brave personality, he said, her death has left a void in the Communist world. Mr. Narayana joined CPI(M) leaders B.V. Raghavulu and Tammineni Veerabhadram in paying the last tributes.
From the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi, Minister for Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Errabelli Dayakar Rao and MLC Kalvakuntla Kavitha paid respects and offered their sympathies to the bereaving Communists.
“Her life will remain a guiding spirit for all leaders and for all people movements. The government will take necessary steps to ensure that the future generations will learn about the life history of Mallu Swarajyam,” he said.
Sitting MP and DMK ally IUML’s candidate K. Navas Kani registered a remarkable victory from Ramanathapuram Lok Sabha constituency on Tuesday. While Mr. Navas Kani polled 5,09,664 votes, O. Panneerselvam, Independent candidate supported by the BJP, bagged 3,42,882 votes, AIADMK candidate Jayaperumal secured 99,780 votes and Naam Tamilar Katchi candidate Dr. Chandra Prabha Jeyapaul bagged 97,672 votes. As many as 6,275 voters pressed NOTA button.
Hailed as the “hrudayavanta” (man with a kind heart), cardiologist C.N. Manjunath registered a resounding victory by beating the three-time MP, D.K. Suresh, and sending ripples across Bengaluru Rural seat, a bastion strongly controlled by Mr. Suresh and his brother Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar.