Former Union minister, veteran Congress leader Jaipal Reddy passes away at 77
Senior Congress leader and former Union minister S Jaipal Reddy died at a Hyderabad hospital in the early hours of Sunday. He was recently diagnosed with pneumonia and was admitted to the hospital, where he died at 1.28 a.m.
Reddy has been a parliamentarian for several decades and held key portfolios in various governments. He was a four-term MLA, member of Lok Sabha for five terms and member of Rajya Sabha for two terms.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the demise of Jaipal Reddy, describing him as an effective administrator. “Shri Jaipal Reddy had years of experience in public life. He was respected as an articulate speaker and effective administrator. Saddened by his demise,” the Prime Ministers Office tweeted quoting Modi.
Shri Jaipal Reddy had years of experience in public life. He was respected as an articulate speaker and effective administrator. Saddened by his demise. My thoughts are with his family and well-wishers in this hour of grief: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) July 28, 2019
Rahul Gandhi said in a tweet, “I’m sorry to hear about the sad demise of former Union Minister & veteran Congress leader Shri Jaipal Reddy Garu. An outstanding parliamentarian, great son of Telangana, he dedicated his entire life towards public service. My deepest condolences to his family & friends.”
I’m sorry to hear about the sad demise of former Union Minister & veteran Congress leader Shri Jaipal Reddy Garu. An outstanding parliamentarian, great son of Telangana, he dedicated his entire life towards public service. My deepest condolences to his family & friends.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) July 28, 2019
The Congress, in a tweet, said it was saddened to hear the passing of Reddy. “We hope his family and friends find strength in their time of grief.”
We are saddened to hear of the passing of former Union Minister Jaipal Reddy. A senior Congress leader, he served as an LS MP 5 times, an RS MP 2 times and as an MLA 4 times.
We hope his family and friends find strength in their time of grief. pic.twitter.com/3BHVc07OYA— Congress (@INCIndia) July 28, 2019
“Deeply saddened and pained by the sudden demise of Jaipal Raddy,” Congress Telangana unit chief Uttam Kumar Reddy said, describing the party veteran as an outstanding orator, great human being, and an intellectual giant.
“Huge personal loss to me and the entire Congress party. We will miss him,” he added.
TRS working president KT Rama Rao, son of Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao, also condoled the death.
“My condolences to the family & friends of senior leader & former union minister Shri #JaipalReddy Garu who passed away earlier today. RIP Sir (sic),” he tweeted.
Deeply saddened & pained by the sudden demise of one of Telangana’s greatest sons – Shri Jaipal Reddy garu. He was a 4 term MLA, 5 term Lok Sabha MP, 2 term Rajya Sabha MP & a former Union minister. It is a huge personal loss for me & for the @INCIndia family. We will miss him. pic.twitter.com/dvozZgFhf8
— Uttam Kumar Reddy (@UttamTPCC) July 28, 2019
Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu also condoled the demise of Jaipal Reddy while recalling the former union minister’s “razor sharp intellect” and “biting wit”. Naidu said that Reddy was his close friend of four decades and they used to sit next to each other in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly.
“An exemplary orator, he was conferred Outstanding Parliamentarian Award in 1998. With his razor sharp intellect and biting wit, he was also a powerful spokesperson of the party to which he belonged,” the vice president said in his message.
Reddy, the vice president said, was known for cherishing and upholding democratic values. “A tireless champion of the vulnerable and marginalised sections, his absence will be profoundly felt,” Naidu said.
Maharashtra Governor C Vidyasagar Rao also offered his condolences over the demise of Jaipal Reddy. “An excellent administrator and gifted speaker, Jaipal Reddy held various ministerial portfolios during his long and illustrious political career.”
“I had the privilege of knowing Jaipal Reddy Ji for many decades, both of us being alumni of the Osmania University,” Rao said. “Despite our ideological differences, I had the highest regard for him. In his demise, Telangana has lost a dedicated public servant,” he said.
Reddy was the information and broadcasting minister in IK Gujral government. During the UPA-1 government he held portfolios like urban development and culture.
In UPA-2, he was again assigned the urban development ministry. Later, he became the minister of petroleum and natural gas but was shifted to the science and technology and earth sciences ministries, creating a political storm.
Reddy’s funeral would take place here on Monday, the sources said.
