Well known freedom fighter and former Andhra Pradesh minister Bhattam Srirama Murhty is no more. As per reports he died on Monday at a hospital following a prolonged illness. He was 89.Murthy is survived by his wife, a daughter and a son.

Bhattam Srirama Murthy was initially with the Socialist Party and later joined the Congress. After joining TDP he was elected to the Lok Sabha from Visakhapatnam in 1984 . He was elected to the Assembly four times. He was Minister three times.

He was responsible for appointing M.S. Subbulakshmi official State singer and also of the TTD. He was born at Dharmavaram in Vizianagaram district on May 12, 1926.He was Sub Editor of "Jaya Bharat" magazine 1947-48 and Editor of "Prajaradham" Telugu Weekly and "Andhra Janatha" Telugu Daily published from Hyderabad, 1969.

He wrote four books in Telugu language. He wrote his biography covering the political career lasting for 6 decades entitled "Swechcha Bharatam" and published in 2009. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, president of YSRC Y.S Jaganmohan Reddy mourned the death of Bhattam Srirama Murthy.