Ex-Union Minister Sanjeeva Rao passes away

RAJAHMUNDRY (AP): Congress leader and former Union Minister Mallipudii Srirama Sanjeeva Rao has passed away after a prolonged illness.

Rao breathed his last yesterday at his residence in Kakinada, about 60km from here in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh.

He was 87 and is survived by two sons - former Union Minister M M Pallam Raju and M Anand, an industrialist. His wife predeceased him.

The veteran Congress leader's last rites were performed in Kakinada today.

Rao was elected to Lok Sabha three times on Congress ticket from Kakinada in 1970s and 80s and was a member of the Indira Gandhi Cabinet. He also served as MLA from Ramachandrapuram seat in the district for a brief period.

Leaders of various political parties, including TDP and Congress, condoled his death.