KTR vows to name Narsampet medical college after former MLA Peddi Sudarshan Reddy

BRS working president KT Rama Rao vowed to name the Narsampet government medical college after former MLA Peddi Sudarshan Reddy if the party returns to power. He also promised to pursue Peddi’s development vision, while Harish Rao recalled their Telangana movement association

Hyderabad: BRS working president KT Rama Rao vowed to name the government medical college in Narsampet after former MLA and Telangana activist Peddi Sudarshan Reddy, after the BRS returned to power. He asserted that the party will work to realise his vision for the constituency.

Addressing a memorial meeting at Nallabelli on the occasion of Peddi Sudarshan Reddy’s 10th-day ceremony, Rama Rao said the former MLA left an enduring imprint on people despite not holding major positions for long. He said the massive turnout for Peddi’s final journey, with lakhs of people braving heavy rain and remaining on the streets for nearly 12 hours, had shown the respect he had earned through his commitment to the Telangana movement and public service.

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The BRS working president recalled Sudarshan Reddy’s role in the Telangana movement and his efforts for the development of Narsampet. He said the former MLA continued to raise public issues even during the last phase of his life, including the demand for Devadula project water and protests in support of students agitating in Delhi.

Rama Rao stated that Peddi Sudarshan Reddy had persuaded the then BRS government to sanction a special Rs 100-acrore project for Narsampet farmers despite budgetary constraints. He also pointed to the initiative to provide piped gas to households in Narsampet, terming it as an achievement secured during difficult conditions such as the Covid-19 pandemic and economic stress.

He said the former MLA’s contribution will remain inseparable from Narsampet and also erstwhile Warangal district. He assured Sudarshan Reddy’s wife Swapna, children and family that BRS and its chief K Chandrashekhar Rao will continue to stand by them. He said the BRS will return to power within two years and will pursue further development of Narsampet constituency to realise Sudarshan Reddy’s vision and aspirations.

Harish Rao, who shared a nearly 25-year association with Peddi Sudarshan Reddy, became emotional while recalling their years together during the Telangana movement. He called the former MLA as a selfless fighter who risked his life, property and political prospects during the struggle for statehood.

He remembered their participation in the Manukota incident and the Parakala and Station Ghanpur by-elections, stating that Sudarshan Reddy was always at the forefront of the movement. He said Sudarshan Reddy stood against supporters of undivided Andhra Pradesh without fearing stones or bullets.

After Telangana was formed, Harish Rao said Peddi Sudarshan Reddy continued to work for Narsampet’s development. He credited him with securing Devadula waters for the Ramappa, Pakhal and Laknavaram reservoirs after persuading Chandrashekhar Rao, and helping farmers in the region obtain irrigation. He also attributed the establishment of a government medical college in Narsampet, despite it not being a district headquarters, to the combined efforts of Chandrashekhar Rao and Sudarshan Reddy.

Recalling their personal association, the BRSLP deputy leader said Sudarshan Reddy had once admitted him to hospital and saved his life, after he was severely injured during an agitation. “I never imagined that I would see him for the last time in the same hospital,” he said, breaking down. He said the former MLA remained committed to the BRS and Telangana cause despite alleged pressure from the ruling Congress.

The memorial meeting also featured a documentary on Peddi’s political journey, Telangana movement and development initiatives, leaving several participants, including his wife Swapna, and children, emotional.

BRS leaders, including Council Opposition Leader S Madhusudhanachari, Council Deputy Chairman Banda Prakash, former Ministers Errabelli Dayakar Rao and Satyavathi Rathod, MLC Pochampally Srinivas Reddy, MLA Palla Rajeshwar Reddy and former MLAs attended, along with a large number of BRS cadre and admirers of Sudarshan Reddy.