Veteran CPM leader Jakka Venkaiah dies

Nellore: Veteran CPM leader and former legislator from Allur constituency in the district Jakka Venkaiah died at a private hospital here on Tuesday. He was suffering from old-age related ailments. Octogenarian Venkaiah had been a strong pillar of the Marxist activities in Nellore district and he was elected as MLA from Allur Assembly constituency in 1985 and 1994 Assembly elections.

He was responsible for the party gaining strength and leading several mass movements. His family members admitted him to a corporate hospital in the city some time ago and his health condition deteriorated since Monday night. He breathed his last on Tuesday morning. His body has been shifted from the hospital to the CPM office to enable party workers to pay their last respects.

The last rites would be conducted in Nellore on Wednesday. CPM State secretary P Madhu, party senior leader B V Raghavulu and others paid tributes to the departed leader.