Jaipal Reddy, senior Congress leader and former Union minister, dies at 77

Hyderabad: Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister S Jaipal Reddy died on the intervening night of July 27-28. He was 77 and is survived by two sons and a daughter. Reddy had been unwell for the last few days and undergoing treatment at a hospital here.

On Saturday night, he fell ill again and was shifted to the AIG hospital where he was declared dead.

Mourning his demise, the Congress party said, ''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.''

Born on January 16, 1942, in Telangana’s Mahbubnagar district to Sudini Durga Reddy and Yashodamma, Reddy did his post-graduation from Osmania University, Hyderabad.

He had been an active Congress worker at the beginning of his political career but protested against his party during Emergency in 1975.

Reddy later joined Janata Party and served as its general secretary between 1985 and 1988. He returned to the Congress in the 90s.

He won as an MLA from Kalwakurthy Assembly constituency for the first time in 1969 and represented it for four times.

In 1984, he got elected to Lok Sabha for the first time from Mahabubnagar Parliamentary constituency.

In 1999 and 2004, he represented Miryalguda Lok Sabha seat and, in 2009, he shifted to Chevella. In 1990 and 1996, he was elected to Rajya Sabha and was the floor leader of Janata Dal in Rajya Sabha.

Reddy served as Information and Broadcasting Minister in the IK Gujral government. In Manmohan Singh-led UPA government, Reddy served as Petroleum Minister and later as Urban Development Minister.

He also won the best parliamentarian award in 1998.

Several top leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and many others, condoled demise of Jaipal Reddy. 

"Shri Jaipal Reddy had years of experience in public life. He was respected as an articulate speaker and an effective administrator. Saddened by his demise. My thoughts are with his family and well-wishers in this hour of grief," PMO tweeted quoting the Prime Minister.

Expressing grief, Amit Shah tweeted, "Saddened to learn about the demise of former Union Minister, Shri Jaipal Reddy Ji. My thoughts and prayers with his family and supporters. Om Shanti Shanti Shanti."

Rahul Gandhi said that Reddy was an outstanding parliamentarian and dedicated his entire life towards public service. "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," Gandhi tweeted.