(Image source from: Zee News)

Top politicians of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu, and Telugu film personalities on Thursday paid their last respects to Telugu Desam Party (TDP) founder Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao son Nandamuri Harikrishna, who died in a road accident.

Venkaiah Naidu placed a garland on the body of Harikrishna, at his residence in Mehdipatnam area in Hyderabad. He consoled the household members including his actor sons Junior NTR and Kalyan Ram. Later speaking to reporters, he recalled the services of the actor-politician in films and politics. Naidu described Harikrishna as an obedient son who gave strength to his father N. T. Rama Rao.

The Vice-President said Harikrishna was an affable person and used to speak in a free and frank manner. He recalled that in the Rajya Sabha he insisted that he should be allowed to speak in Telugu and when the then deputy chairman said the rules don't permit it, Harikrishna intervened by offering to translate the speech in English.

The 61-year-old Harikrishna died on Wednesday when the SUV, which he was driving, overturned while negotiating a turn in Telangana's Nalgonda district.

Related content: Nandamuri Harikrishna Dies in Road Accident in Nalgonda

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, his son and cabinet minister Nara Lokesh, Harikrishna's brother actor Balakrishna, several other ministers and TDP leaders from the neighboring state are camping in here since Wednesday.

On Wednesday, Governor of both Telugu states E. S. L. Narasimhan and Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao had paid their last respects.

MPs, Ministers, various political party leaders and film personalities and Harikrishna's fans made a beeline at his residence to pay homage.

The last rites of Harikrishna will be performed in Hyderabad later in the day with state honors. Police have made heedful arrangements for the funeral procession from his residence to Mahaprasthanam in Jubilee Hills.

By Sowmya Sangam