Former Union Minister Jaipal Reddy Dies At 77

Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Jaipal Reddy died at a hospital in Hyderabad in the early hours of Sunday. He was 77. He was recently diagnosed with pneumonia and was admitted to the hospital, where he died at 1.28 am.

Jaipal Reddy has been a parliamentarian since 1984. During his political career, Mr Reddy served as a Lok Sabha MP five times and was elected to the Rajya Sabha twice.

President Ram Nath Kovind called Jaipal Reddy "a thinking person's politician" in his condolence message. "Sorry to hear of the passing of Shri S. Jaipal Reddy, former Union Minister. He was a thinking person's politician and an outstanding parliamentarian. My condolences to his family and many associates," he tweeted from his official handle.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while condoling Mr Reddy's death, said the former union minister was an articulate speaker and 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. My thoughts are with his family and well-wishers in this hour of grief: PM @narendramodi

- PMO India (@PMOIndia) July 28, 2019

The Congress, in a tweet, said it was saddened to hear about Mr Reddy's death.

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

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said Jaipal Reddy was an outstanding parliamentarian who 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.

- Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) July 28, 2019

Uttam Kumar Reddy, who heads the Congress in Telangana, remembered him as one of the state's greatest sons.

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

TRS working president KT Rama Rao, son of Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao, also condoled the death. "My condolences to the family and friends of senior leader and former union minister Shri Jaipal Reddy Garu who passed away earlier today. RIP Sir (sic)," he tweeted. 

Mr Reddy was the information and broadcasting minister in the government led by former prime minister IK Gujral. 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.

Mr Reddy's funeral will take place in Hyderabad on Monday.

(with inputs from agencies)