Senior Congress leader Jakkampudi Rao passes away

RAJAHMUNDRY: Senior Congress leader and former Andhra Pradesh minister Jakkampudi Ramamohan Rao on Sunday passed away at a corporate hospitals here, family sources said.

Rao was rushed to the hospital in the morning after he complained of pains in throat by his family members.

58-year-old Rao was suffering from diabetic neuropathy for the last four years.

A staunch supporter of late chief minister Y S Rajasekhar Reddy, Rao had actively launched a campaign against TDP when N T Rama Rao was chief minister of the state.

Rao, who was elected to Andhra Pradesh legislative Assembly thrice from Kadiaym constituency in 1989, 1999 and 2004 respectively, played a vital role in a 'padyatra' organised by the late chief minister Y S Rajasekhar Reddy which catapulted Congress to power.

An agriculturist by profession, Rao was born in Adduru village in Mammidikuduru Mandal of East Godavari district.

He had served as Roads and Building Minister in Y S Rajasekhar Reddy Cabinet in 2004.

Rao was Known for his organisational skills which ensured Congress bagging 18 out of 21 Assembly seats in the East Godavari district in last election.

He, however, later defected Congress to join YSR Congress Party floated by Kadapa MP Y S Jaganmohan Reddy, son of Rajsekhar Reddy.

His wife Vijayalakshmi was expelled by the Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) from the party for contesting against an official candidate in the local bodies election.

Rao is survived by wife, two sons and a daughter.