Hyderabad: Former Nagarkurnool MP Manda Jagannadham passed away on Sunday after a prolonged illness. He was 73.
He was survived by a daughter and two sons. He was undergoing treatment at NIMS Hospital in Hyderabad, where his condition worsened on Sunday. Several politicians, academicians and others expressed their shock and extended condolences to the bereaved family.
Born on May 22, 1951, in Itikyala village of Nagarkurnool district, Jagannadham completed his MS in medical education. He served at the Civil Hospital in Suryapet, Gandhi Hospital and ENT Hospital in Hyderabad. He began his political journey with the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), winning the Nagarkurnool parliamentary seat thrice consecutively in 1996, 1999, and 2004.
A member of TDP’s politburo, he later shifted to the Congress party and secured a victory in the 2009 elections. In 2014, he joined the BRS but faced defeat in the elections.
Although he was appointed as the State’s special representative in Delhi by then Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao in 2022, he left the BRS in November 2023 to rejoin Congress. However, he distanced himself from active politics after being denied a ticket for the Nagarkurnool seat.
Meanwhile, BRS chief and Leader of Opposition K Chandrashekhar Rao extended his condolences on the passing of former Nagarkurnool MP and senior politician, Dr Manda Jagannadham here on Sunday. He recalled Jagannadham’s contributions during the Telangana movement and his service to the party.
Chandrashekhar Rao described his demise as a significant loss for Telangana and extended heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family.
BRS working president KT Rama Rao remembered Jagannadham’s long-standing service to the people of Nagarkurnool as a four-time MP and acknowledged the void his passing leaves in the constituency.
Former Minister T Harish Rao and BRS MLC K Kavitha also conveyed their grief, recalling Jagannadham’s notable political career and dedication to the State development. They extended their condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for peace for his soul.
Former MP B Vinod Kumar lauded Jagannadham’s contributions to Nagarkurnool and extended his condolences to the family, emphasising his impactful legacy in Telangana politics. Former Ministers Vemula Prashanth Reddy, S Niranjan Reddy and several other BRS leaders also condoled the demise of Jagannadham, praying for peace for his soul.