April 18, 2021
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Comrade Kunja Bojji

VETERAN Communist and a three-time MLA, Comrade Kunja Bojji (95) passed away on April 12, at a private hospital in Bhadrachalam. Comrade Bojji was born on February 10, 1926. He became a member of the CPI(M) in 1951.

Comrade Bojji worked as a courier in the heroic Telangana Armed Struggle.  He represented the Bhadrachalam constituency for three consecutive terms in the combined state of Andhra Pradesh, from 1985 to 1999. He led many struggles of adivasis on the issues of land, tendu leaves, forest rights etc for decades. He, as a legislator, worked hard for the development of the agency areas. He faced attacks of landlord goons and of the extremist elements.

Comrade Bojji was admitted to a hospital for serious illness; his condition deteriorated and he breathed his last there on April 12. The dead body was taken to the Party office in Bhadrachalam and later shifted to his native place Adavi Venkanna Gudem in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh on the same day. The funeral took place on April 13.

Chief Minister of Telangana, K Chandrasekhara Rao, lauded the services of Comrade Bojji in a statement and mentioned that his life is an inspiration for all others. CPI(M) Telangana state secretary Tammineni Veerabhadram said that Comrade Bojji was an ideal communist and a relentless fighter for the welfare of adivasis. He narrated the saga of Comrade Bojji at the condolence meeting held in the Party headquarters, M B Bhavan in Hyderabad. Comrade Bojji was a role model for simplicity and firm resolve, mentioned P Madhu, CPI(M) AP state secretary in a statement.

The last journey took place in Adavi Venkanna Gudem where thousands of adivasis and other poor paid their last respects with tears. Tammineni Veerabhadram, Party Central Committee member S Veeraiah, former MP and AARM leader M Babu Rao, Party AP state secretariat member M Krishnamurty, AIAWU general secretary B Venkat, and many leaders paid rich tributes to the departed legend.