Konda Laxman Bapuji

He participated in the 1952 Non-mulki agitation He was the first minister in Congress government to resign from his post for Telangana cause on 29 March 1969, and then participated to give impetus to the 1969 Telangana Agitation.

He was first elected as MLA from Asifabad constituency in Adilabad district in 1952. In 1957, Asifabad became a reserved constituency, so he shifted to Nalgonda district which had large number of padmashali population. He won from Chinna Kondur (later renamed as Bhongir) constituency in 1957 and served as deputy speaker from 1957 to 1960 and as minister from 1960 to 1962.

He unsuccessfully contested as MLA from Munugodu constituency in 1962 but later on served as MLA and minister (1967–69) for two terms from Bhongir assembly constituency (1967–72, 1972–78).

Because of his capabilities, straightforward nature and the clean image he was frontrunner for the CM post on two occasions. It was a well-known fact that due to caste equation and internal politics within the Congress he missed the bus. Unhappy with the former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s opposition to the Mandal commission recommendations, he resigned from the primary membership of the Congress in 1987.

He was a member of Telangana Sadhana Samithi.[5] He announced, "We solemnly declare statehood for Telangana on November 2, 2008."[6]

Unlike most leaders from Telangana region, Konda Lakshman Bapuji had the courage to sacrifice and remained out of power for four decades to achieve Telangana statehood.[7]

He was instrumental in forming Akhila Bharat padmashali sangam at Hyderabad.