NATIONAL: Farewell to a Communist Stalwart: Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy Passes Away
Early Life and Education
Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy (1942–2025), veteran Communist leader and former Member of Parliament, breathed his last on Friday night at Care Hospital, Gachibowli, Hyderabad.
Born on March 25, 1942, in Kanchupadu village, Undavelli mandal of the erstwhile Mahabubnagar district, Reddy was the son of freedom fighter Venkatrami Reddy.
His formative years were deeply shaped by his family’s association with the Telangana armed struggle.
He pursued his Bachelor of Arts at Osmania College, Kurnool, before obtaining an LLB from Osmania University. Although he enrolled in an LLM program in 1968, he could not complete it owing to his growing responsibilities as a student leader.
Student Leadership and Activism
Reddy’s political journey commenced during his school years. In 1957, while studying in Kurnool, he spearheaded a movement demanding basic educational amenities such as blackboards and chalk pieces.
The agitation spread across schools, marking the beginning of his lifelong commitment to public struggles.
Key milestones in his student leadership include:
- Elected AISF Kurnool Town Secretary in 1960.
- Appointed Kurnool District Secretary soon after.
- Led a 62-day strike at Sri Venkateswara University in 1962.
- Elected President of Kurnool College Students’ Association.
- Served as General Secretary of Osmania University’s Student Union in 1965.
- Elevated to AISF National General Secretary (1966–69).
- Became AISF National President in 1970 and AIYF President in 1972.
These roles propelled him to Delhi and cemented his presence in the national student movement.
Political Career
Reddy formally entered politics in 1971, becoming a member of the CPI National Committee during its Cochin session.
By 1974, he returned to Andhra Pradesh and served on the CPI’s state executive committee for a decade.
Despite electoral setbacks in Kollapur (1985, 1990) and Don constituency against then Chief Minister Vijayabhaskar Reddy (1994), his perseverance bore fruit in 1998 when he won the Nalgonda Lok Sabha seat. He was re-elected in 2004.
During his parliamentary tenure, he chaired the Labor Parliamentary Standing Committee and was instrumental in raising issues concerning electricity tariffs and workers’ rights. He simultaneously held leadership roles within the CPI, including:
- Andhra Pradesh CPI State Secretary (1998).
- CPI Deputy General Secretary (2007).
- CPI National General Secretary (2012–2019).
He became the second Telugu leader after Chandrarajeshwara Rao to serve as CPI National General Secretary, completing three terms in the position.
Personal Life
In 1974, Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy married Vijayalakshmi. The couple has two sons, Nikhil and Kapil. Nikhil resides in the United States and is expected to arrive in Hyderabad on Saturday night.
Final Journey and Body Donation
Following his passing, CPI National General Secretary D. Raja, along with National Secretary Narayana, paid respects at Care Hospital. His mortal remains will be placed at the CPI office in Himayathnagar, Hyderabad, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
on Sunday for public homage. Later, a rally will accompany his body to Gandhi Hospital, where it will be donated for medical purposes, in accordance with the family’s decision.