Telangana Assembly condoles Jubilee Hills MLA Maganti Gopinath's demise, adjourns to Sunday

Hyderabad: The Telangana Legislative Assembly on Saturday began its session with a solemn note, paying tributes to Jubilee Hills MLA Maganti Gopinath who passed away recently.

Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy moved the condolence motion, which was supported by members across party lines. After a two-minute silence, the House was adjourned to 9 am on Sunday.

Rich tributes from Chief Minister

Revanth Reddy recalled Gopinath’s political journey that began with the Telugu Desam Party in 1983.

He served as the Telugu Youth President of undivided Andhra Pradesh between 1985 and 1992, Director of the Hyderabad Urban Development Authority in 1987–88, and a member of the District Consumer Forum from 1988–93.

The Chief Minister also highlighted Gopinath’s work as a film producer, with films such as Paathabasti (1995), Ravana (2000), Bhadradri Ramudu (2004), and Naa Style Veru (2009).

Describing him as both a “classy personality” and a “mass leader,” Revanth Reddy said his three consecutive victories from Jubilee Hills were a testament to his popularity.

All-party leaders recall his services

BRS working president KT Rama Rao, Legislative Affairs Minister D Sridhar Babu, BJP MLA K Venkataramana Reddy, AIMIM MLA Ahmed Bin Balala, CPI MLA K Sambasiva Rao and others paid their respects.

KTR noted that Gopinath was a staunch admirer of former Chief Minister NT Rama Rao and had distributed sarees during Bathukamma festivities long before the scheme was officially launched by the government.

Though he represented the upscale Jubilee Hills constituency, KTR said Gopinath worked tirelessly for the poor in Borabanda, Rahmathnagar, and Yousufguda.

Political undercurrents in seating arrangements

The condolence session also revealed shifting political equations. BRS legislators who defected to other parties, including Kadiyam Srihari, Pocharam Srinivas Reddy, Tellam Venkat Rao, Arekepudi Gandhi, and Kale Yadaiah, were allotted seats in the last row, away from the BRS benches.

Suspended BJP MLA T Raja Singh was seen exchanging pleasantries with BJP colleagues.

BAC and Cabinet meetings on key issues

Later in the day, the Business Advisory Committee (BAC), chaired by Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar, was scheduled to meet to finalise the duration of the session and the agenda for discussion.

Meanwhile, the State Cabinet met under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Revanth Reddy in the Assembly Committee Hall.

The meeting was expected to take up key issues, including introduction of bills, a proposal to enhance BC reservation in local body elections to 42 per cent, and deliberations on the Kaleshwaram project inquiry report.