Amaravati, Dec 15 (NationPress) On Monday, Andhra Pradesh's Governor S. Abdul Nazeer and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu paid heartfelt tributes to Amarajeevi Potti Sriramulu on the occasion of his death anniversary.

The Governor remarked that Potti Sriramulu was an iconic freedom fighter whose life and sacrifice illustrated profound courage, determination, and commitment to the dreams of the Telugu community. His legacy will always be a significant part of the nation's history, he stated.

Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu expressed his admiration for Potti Sriramulu, describing him as a brave and noble individual who participated in India's independence movement under the guidance of Mahatma Gandhi. He actively engaged in the Salt Satyagraha and the Quit India Movement, fighting resolutely for a separate state for the Telugu people, which he successfully achieved, as noted in his post on X.

Naidu emphasized that Potti Sriramulu’s ultimate sacrifice should motivate everyone. “I bow my head in respect to this great soul who set the standard for the formation of linguistic states through his sacrifice, and I once again offer my tribute,” he wrote.

Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan also honored Potti Sriramulu on his martyrdom day, recalling that he undertook a fast unto death to ensure that the Telugu people could have their own separate state, ultimately giving his life for the cause.

“The outcome of that great man’s supreme sacrifice is the Telugu states we have today. He followed in the footsteps of Mahatma Gandhi and dreamed of establishing a casteless society. The connection between Gandhiji and Sri Potti Sriramulu has been documented in various studies on the Andhra movement. Future generations must learn about his fast unto death for achieving his goal,” Pawan Kalyan stated.

Former Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party leader Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy described Potti Sriramulu as a symbol of self-respect for the Telugu people, calling him “an immortal soul who sacrificed his life through a fast unto death for a separate state for the Telugu masses, forever remembered in their hearts.”

Potti Sriramulu passed away in 1952 after a 56-day hunger strike in Madras, demanding a separate state for the Telugu people. In 1953, Andhra State, with Kurnool as the capital, was established from the then Madras State.

Following the reorganization of states on a linguistic basis, Andhra State merged with Telugu-speaking Telangana to create Andhra Pradesh in 1956.

Telangana was separated from Andhra Pradesh as a distinct state in 2014.