The Andhra Pradesh Assembly paid rich tributes to two of its members who died before they could take oath. Legislators cutting across party lines expressed their deep sense of sorrow at the untimely demise of T. Prabhakar Rao of the TDP and Bhuma Sobha Nagi Reddy of the YSRC.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu who moved the motion of condolence, spoke touchingly about the members-elect. He hinted at naming Krishna district after the Nandigama legislator, Prabhakar Rao, who was elected twice from the district. Born in a Dalit family, he championed many public causes and reacted emotionally whenever he saw injustice and corruption, Mr. Naidu said. He also spoke glowingly about the Allagadda legislator, Sobha Nagi Reddy, who died in a road accident days before the election. She was born in a political family and became MLA at a young age. He recalled how she effectively worked as chairperson of APSRTC Board. Mr. Naidu offered his sympathies to her husband, Bhuma Nagi Reddy, also a legislator representing Nandyal constituency.

YSRC leader Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy said he did not know much about Prabhakar Rao, but the fact that he was elected twice only showed how good the Dalit leader was. He described Sobha Nagi Reddy as his sister and said he never thought he would have to mourn her. After his father died and he came out of the Congress, Sobha stood by him. Her popularity could be gauged by the fact that people of Allagadda elected her with a huge margin even after her death. Mr Bhuma Nagi Reddy spoke emotionally about his wife and said she was a pillar of strength for him and said he was totally shattered. He asked the Chief Minister to set up a committee to monitor road accidents and devise ways to reduce them.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Andhra Pradesh / by Special Correspondent / Hyderabad – June 20th, 2014