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Balayogi's body taken to home town Amalapuram

Syed Amin Jafri in Hyderabad

The body of Lok Sabha Speaker G M C Balayogi, who was killed in a helicopter crash on Sunday, has been brought back from New Delhi to his home town Amalapuram in East Godavari district.

Thousands of mourners converged on Rajahmundry town and lined up all along the route to Amalapuram for a last glimpse of the leader.

Reports said an Indian Air Force plane carrying Balayogi's remains landed at Rajahmundry airport on Monday evening. Several Telugu Desam Party politicians and Balayogi's four children accompanied the body.

Shocked men, women and children lined the route from Rajahmundry through Ravulapalem, Ambajipeta, Allavaram, Nagaram and Malkapuram to Amalapuram.

A pall of gloom descended on the Konaseema region as the vehicle carrying Balayogi's body wended its way along the narrow road to Amalapuram, where it will lie in state at the SRK College through Tuesday.

State ministers Yanamala Ramakrishnudu and P Ashok Gajapati Raju and other politicians were present at Rajahmundry to receive the body.

Arrangements are being made for Balayogi's funeral at his native village Yedurulanka on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Leader of the Opposition Sonia Gandhi, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, central ministers and leaders of other political parties are expected to attend the state funeral.

Meanwhile, the Union government has extended till March 6 the state mourning declared on Sunday as a mark of respect to the speaker.

Earlier, the government had decided to observe a two-day state mourning, but the period was extended because the funeral will take place only on Wednesday.

The Speaker Falls Silent: Complete coverage

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