Chandrababu Naidu, Justice Chelameswar Say Emotional Goodbye To NTR Son

Huge crowds gathered for the funeral procession of Nandamuri Harikrishna, a member of the politburo of the state's ruling Telugu Desam Party, in Hyderabad. He lost his life died in a road accident on Wednesday morning. Among those who led the procession were his sons Kalyan Ram and Tarak Ram, who is famous as actor Junior NTR.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who was Mr Harikrishna's brother-in-law, and retired judge Justice Jasti Chelameswar, his close friend, were the pall-bearers in his last journey.

Justice Chelameswar has been close to the Nandamuri family, and Mr Harikrishna's father and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minsiter NT Rama Rao. Mr Harikrishna's last rites will be performed later in the day with state honours at the same place where Mr Harikrishna's son Janakiram were carried out in 2014 when he died in a similar road accident in the same Nalgonda district. Junior NTR also suffered and survived an accident on the same road in Nalgonda.

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, top politicians of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and Telugu film personalities paid their last respects to Mr Harikrishna. Actors Nagarjuna, Arjun, Jagapati Babu and director Raghvendra Rao were among the film personalities who paid their last respects.

Mr Naidu placed a wreath on the body of Harikrishna at his home in Mehdipatnam. He spoke about his role as an actor-politician and described him as an obedient son who gave strength to his father NT Rama Rao.

The 61-year-old was killed when his SUV, a Toyota Fortuner that he was driving at a high speed, hit a divider and flipped, landing on its side. The police believe Mr Harikrishna was driving at a speed of up to 150 km per hour as he wanted to make it to a wedding by 9 am.

Mr Harikrishna was thrown out of the car and suffered chest and head wounds. He was taken to hospital in a very critical state. He died soon after.

The SUV hit another car, a Maruti Suzuki Dzire. Three others in the car with Mr Harikrishna survived.

In the 1980s, Nandamuri Harikrishna famously drove around his father NT Rama Rao - or NTR - on a campaign tour of the state. He was made state transport minister when NTR became chief minister.
Nandamuri Harikrishna's sons, Junior NTR and Nandamuri Kalyanram, both popular actors, went to the hospital.

Mr Harikrishna's oldest son Nandamuri Janakiram was killed in a road accident in 2014. Junior NTR was also in an accident in 2009, but he escaped with injuries.