Hyderabad: TDP leader Devineni Raja Sekhar aka Nehru died after prolonged illness at the age of 63 at a private hospital here early on Monday. He was a Vijayawada strongman and was known for 'settlements' and criminal activities. He was also a minister in the N.T. Rama Rao Cabinet and MLA for five terms.

Nehru headed the ‘Kamma’ led gang for over four decades since his college days and was pitted against the Kapu-led gang headed by Vangaveeti Radha and Mohan Ranga Rao. Nehru’s 'Gunadala Doddi' (his residence) was known for settlements in Vijayawada city and he ruled the city from his small kingdom.

Nehru, earlier lost two of his three brothers Chandrasekhar aka Gandhi and Murali to faction riddled Bezwada criminal politics. Both were killed by the Vangaveeti faction. However both Radha and Mohan Ranga Rao were also killed by the rival factions in which Nehru was one of the key accused. He was later acquitted by court.

There were some movies depicting Nehru like Bezwada and Vangaveeti. Gayam was produced by Ram Gopal Varma who did his college studies in Vijayawada and had keenly observed both the groups and their clashes. Nehru joined Telugu Desam Party in 1982 when it was launched by the late N.T. Rama Rao, (of course the other faction joined Congress). He also sided him during the 1995 coup, later switched to Congress and the YSR Congress Party before returning to Telugu Desam party a few months ago. His son Avinash is now active in TD politics.

His body was shifted to Vijayawada and kept at his residence for the public to pay homage. He will be cremated on Tuesday. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Minister Nara Lokesh and other TDP leaders paid rich tributes to the departed TDP leader.