People's Democracy

Comrade L B Gangadhara Rao

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) issued the following statement on March 28, 2003.

THE Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) condoles the death of Comrade Lavu Bala Gangadhara Rao, a veteran leader of the communist movement in the country. Comrade LBG, as he was popularly known, served the party in various capacities — as member of the Polit Bureau, member of the Central Committee and secretary of the Andhra Pradesh state committee.

He was one of the builders of the communist movement in Andhra Pradesh, joining the party way back in 1938. He became a dedicated communist wholetimer in 1942. During the Telangana armed struggle, he was  secretary of the important regional committee of Nallamala.

In his 65 years long communist life, Comrade LBG was forced to go underground five times and spent eleven years and nine months organising the party activities in these conditions. He was jailed thrice. He served as the president of the All India Agricultural Workers Union.

Despite coming from a landlord background, Comrade LBG’s communist life was one of simplicity and unflinching commitment to the cause of liberating the exploited in the country.

He displayed a high degree of courage and heroism during the Telangana armed struggle facing the Nizam’s Razakars and the Indian army. His grip on the party’s organisational affairs helped steer the CPI(M) in Andhra Pradesh during very crucial and exacting circumstances in the struggle against right deviation and Left adventurism in the communist movement.

Due to failing health, he retired from the Polit Bureau and the Central Committee at the 16th congress of the CPI(M) in 1998. He, however, continued to remain associated with the movement and its activities.

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) dips the red flag in salute of Comrade L B Gangadhara Rao. The Polit Bureau conveys its deep condolences to his wife Sarojini, son Sagar and other family members.