Former minister Mallikarjuna Rao passes away

Vijaywada,Sep 16 (UNI) Former Andhra Pradesh minister in an erstwhile Telegu Desam Party (TDP) government, Govada Mallikarjuna Rao died at Moyya village in Krishna district late last night.

He was 63 and is survived by two daughters.

Mr Rao, who held the portfolio of Housing and Weaker sections in the NT Rama Rao's Cabinet, was elected in a triangular fight by defeating the present Andhra Pradesh Municipal Administration Minister Koneru Ranga Rao, family sources told UNI today.

The sources said Mr Rao died due to a stroke' while he was asleep.

The former minister, though he was closely associated with the Congress Party, since its inception, contested on a TDP ticket as he was an ardent fan of Mr Rama Rao. After the collapse of the NTR government, due to a coup unleashed by N Bhaskar Rao, Mr Mallikarjuna Rao later joined the Congress along with Bhaskar Rao.

Mr Mallikarjuna Rao served as the Vice-President of the Krishna District Youth Congress, member of the Kanakadurga Devasthanam Trust Board, Road Transport Authority(RTA) and Movva Samithi Congress Committee. He was also the member of the State Youth Congress Executive Committee.

His last rites would be performed at the Krishna river-bed at Srikakulam village tommorow and would be attended by state ministers, the sources added.

UNI CS AE KP1942