Senior TDP leader and former Andhra Pradesh minister Gali Muddukrishnama Naidu dies at age 71

Amaravati: Senior TDP leader and former Andhra Pradesh minister Gali Muddukrishnama Naidu died due to dengue and related health complications at a hospital in Hyderabad early on Wednesday. He was 71. The TDP leader, who was also a sitting member of the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council, was admitted to a super-speciality hospital in Hyderabad on Monday after he complained of fever. “He was diagnosed with dengue shock syndrome (along) with multi-organ failure. Inspite of full resuscitation, he could not be revived and declared dead at 2.50 am today,” a medical bulletin issued by the hospital said. He had served as a minister in the Cabinet of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) founder-president, NT Rama Rao, in the undivided Andhra Pradesh, and held portfolios like education and forests. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister N China Rajappa and other TDP leaders condoled the veteran leader’s death. [caption id=“attachment_4339655” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File image of Gali Muddukrishnama Naidu. YouTube screenshot[/caption] Muddukrishnama Naidu, who hailed from Chittoor district, began his career as a lecturer before joining politics on the invitation of NT Rama Rao in 1983. He was elected to the Andhra Pradesh Assembly for six terms from Puttur and Nagari constituencies. He also served as a member of the TDP politburo, the party’s highest decision-making body. He quit the TDP in 2004 and joined the Congress. However, four years later he returned to the parent party. He lost the 2014 Assembly election but was made an MLC in 2016. “Gali played a key role in the TDP’s political journey. His services to the party and the people will be remembered forever,” the Andhra Pradesh chief minister said in a statement and offered his sympathies to the bereaved family. Assembly Speaker Kodela Sivaprasada Rao, former chief minister of the undivided Andhra Pradesh, N Kiran Kumar Reddy, Telangana roads and buildings minister T Nageswara Rao and Leader of Opposition in the Telangana Legislative Assembly, K Jana Reddy, also paid their last respects to the departed leader. Muddukrishnama Naidu is survived by wife, two sons and a daughter. The cremation is expected to be held at his native village in AP’s Chittoor district on Thursday, TDP sources said.