CM Naidu mourns death of veteran leader Vijaya Rama Raju
Synopsis
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu paid tribute to Shatrucharla Vijaya Rama Raju, a senior politician who served as MLA, MLC, MP and Minister over four decades, calling his contribution to Uttarandhra development unforgettable.
Key Takeaways
Shatrucharla Vijaya Rama Raju , a veteran Andhra Pradesh politician with four decades of public service, has passed away.
He held all four major representative positions: MLA, MLC, MP, and Minister .
Chandrababu Naidu expressed condolences via a post on X on 12 November 2026 .
Naidu specifically highlighted Vijaya Rama Raju's role in the development of Uttarandhra (northern Andhra Pradesh).
The Chief Minister extended 'profound sympathies' to the late leader's family members .
State political figures may announce formal honours or attend last rites in the coming days.
Four decades of unbroken public service came to a close with the passing of Shatrucharla Vijaya Rama Raju, the veteran Andhra Pradesh politician who served his region as MLA, MLC, MP, and Minister — a career arc that few in Indian state politics match in both span and variety. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed deep condolences on Thursday, 12 November 2026, calling the loss deeply saddening and offering prayers for the departed leader's soul.
A career that spanned every tier of elected office
In his post, Chief Minister Naidu wrote in Telugu: 'నాలుగు దశాబ్దాల సుదీర్ఘమైన ప్రజాజీవితంలో ఎమ్మెల్యే, ఎమ్మెల్సీ, ఎంపీ, మంత్రిగా సేవలందించిన సీనియర్ నేత శత్రుచర్ల విజయరామరాజు గారి మరణం విచారకరం.' — 'The death of senior leader Shatrucharla Vijaya Rama Raju, who served as MLA, MLC, MP and Minister across four decades of public life, is deeply saddening.' Naidu added that Vijaya Rama Raju's role in the development of Uttarandhra — the northern coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh — 'will be remembered forever.'
Vijaya Rama Raju belonged to a generation of legislators who built their careers through sustained constituency work rather than a single dramatic moment. Holding positions across all four principal rungs of Indian representative democracy — state assembly, state legislature council, national parliament, and the council of ministers — he represented a kind of political durability that is increasingly rare.
Uttarandhra's development and a legacy tied to the region
Uttarandhra, comprising the districts of Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, and Srikakulam, has historically been central to debates about regional equity within Andhra Pradesh. Leaders who champion that region carry a distinct weight in state politics. Chief Minister Naidu's specific mention of Vijaya Rama Raju's contribution to Uttarandhra's development signals the breadth of the late leader's reach — not just electoral longevity, but a substantive stake in one of the state's most contested development conversations.
Naidu concluded his tribute by conveying 'profound sympathies' to the members of Vijaya Rama Raju's family. State leaders in Andhra Pradesh are expected to pay their respects formally in the days ahead, with possible announcements regarding state honours or official attendance at the last rites.
Point of View
And acknowledging a departed champion of that cause carries real resonance with northern constituencies. For Naidu and the TDP, maintaining goodwill in Uttarandhra remains strategically important as the party consolidates its post-2024 electoral mandate across the full breadth of the state.
NationPress
12 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Shatrucharla Vijaya Rama Raju?
Shatrucharla Vijaya Rama Raju was a senior Andhra Pradesh politician who served across four decades as MLA, MLC, MP and Minister, and was associated with the development of the Uttarandhra region.
What did CM Chandrababu Naidu say about Vijaya Rama Raju's death?
CM Naidu called the death deeply saddening, praised Vijaya Rama Raju's unforgettable role in Uttarandhra's development, prayed for the departed soul's peace, and conveyed profound sympathies to the family.
What is Uttarandhra and why is it significant?
Uttarandhra refers to the northern coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh — Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, and Srikakulam — a region historically central to debates about equitable development within the state.
What positions did Vijaya Rama Raju hold during his political career?
He served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA), Member of the Legislative Council (MLC), Member of Parliament (MP), and as a Minister during his four-decade public life.
Will there be official state honours for Vijaya Rama Raju?
No formal announcement has been confirmed yet, but Andhra Pradesh political figures are expected to pay respects, and possible state honours or official attendance at last rites may follow.
