People's Democracy

A Condolence meeting was held at the AKG Bhawan the head quarter of the CPI(M) to expresses its deep grief at the passing away of Comrade M. Hanumantha Rao, member of the Polit Bureau, veteran leader of the CPI(M) and one of the pioneers of the Communist movement in Andhra Pradesh, after a prolonged illness. Hanumantha Rao was aged 84 years. A two minute silence was observed in his memory.

Speaking at a packed hall CPI(M) Polit Bureau member Prakash Karat said Comrade M H belonged to the generation of leaders who with tremendous sacrifices built the party brick by brick. M H had spent 64 years of his life in the party and one of the very few who continued in the top leadership both in the undivided party and later in CPI(M). He said with many of that generation leaders passing away, it is imperative to learn from their lives and carry forward their spirit of struggle.

Paying tributes to Comrade M H , he said that right from the early days Comrade M H was known for his ideological convictions and firmness of principles. "He stood like a rock whenever ideological confusions cropped up. When Naxalism had affected Andhra the most, M H as party state secretary waged a hard battle against Left adventurism and succeeded in it."

He made a major contribution to rallying the Party against the naxalite disruption. He was the first to denounce Mr Gorbachev and his glasnost policy, in the late 80's which he warned, would destroy the USSR as well as the Communist movement in the European world, such was the conviction of Hanumantha Rao, said Prakash Karat.

Comrade Hanumantha Rao's rich experience as a communist journalist and his contribution to the development of the Communist press in Andhra Pradesh was recalled. He was the editor of the Vishalandhra, the paper of the CPI for nearly eight years. He took over as the editor of the CPI(M) daily Prajashakti and remained the editor till recently when he resigned due to ill health. It was only after his persistent request that the state secretariat agreed to relieve him of the charge of the editorship. Prakash Karat also recalled Comrade M H 's useful contribution as a legislator both in the state assembly and in Parliament.

As the chairman of the Parliament Standing Committee on Industry in the early nineties itself, Hanumantha Rao had circulated a paper on the degrading of the Public Sector and had warned against it.

Comrade Hanumantha Rao was imbued with communist values and his life exemplified sacrifice and simple living. He was respected by all sections of the people for his principled positions.

Prakash said that he was concerned for the family of the late leader and they had suffered but had remained dignified through out their lives. Sent his heartfelt homage to his memory and condolences to his wife Udayam, daughters and other family members.

Kanai Banarjee , central committee member of the CPI(M) presided over the meeting while Hari Singh, another central committee member readout the messages received from Com Surjeet and others and expressed the Party’s condolences. It was resolved to convey these to the bereaved family.