Senior Congress leader Jaipal Reddy passes away at 77, funeral to take place tomorrow

He 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 to the urban development ministry. Later, he became the minister of petroleum and natural gas. He was then shifted to the science and technology and earth sciences ministries.

He represented Chevella constituency of Telangana in Lok Sabha. Congress Lok Sabha member Komatireddy Venkat Reddy said the last rites will take place on Monday.

Speaking to reporters at Jaipal Reddy’s residence, Venkat Reddy said the Telangana government should allocate a place for performing the last rites keeping in view the popularity of the leader.

“We will request the State Government to allocate place for the funeral as thousands of his followers and people are expected to attend. A regular crematorium cannot accommodate such a big crowd,” Venkat Reddy said.

He also said the party would request Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao to name a project or place after Jaipal Reddy.

Jaipal Reddy at Shastri Bhawan in New Delhi. (Express archive)

President Ram Nath Kovind expressed condolences over the passing away of Jaipal Reddy.

“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,” the President said in a tweet.

UPA Chairperson and Congress leader Sonia Gandhi also expressed her condolences through a letter addressed to Reddy’s wife.

K Chandrasekhar Rao and his Andhra Pradesh counterpart YS Jagan Mohan Reddy also expressed condolences over the death of senior Congress leader.

KCR recalled the services rendered by Jaipal Reddy as union minister and parliamentarian.

While Jagan said: “Known for his oratory skills Jaipal Reddy carved a niche for himself in Parliament and State assembly alike. The chief minister conveyed his condolences to the bereaved family members.”

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.”

“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 intellectual giant.

“Huge personal loss to me and the entire Congress party. We will miss him,” he added.

Jaipal Reddy with then prime minister Manmohan Singh at the 7th Asia Gas Partnership Summit 2012 in New Delhi. (Express archive)

TRS working president K T 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.

Former MP and Congress senior leader KC Venugopal mourned the death of Reddy calling him a ‘fine political personality and an outstanding parliamentarian’.

“He was a great orator and could inspire his colleagues in parliament and general public through his wise words. He discharged his duty as union minister in various portfolios with great sincerity and honesty. He was a prolific writer and man of wisdom who until his last breath dedicated his life for the betterment of society.”

The former MP said the Congres party lost one of its most loving leaders and that he will be remembered for his deep scholarship and sincere public service. “The Congress party extends deepest condolence to the bereaved family and his supporters, ” he said.

(With inputs from PTI)

From the homepage

‘She wanted to resign’: BLO dies by suicide, her family in Bengal alleges ‘work pressure’

MP’s elite Hawk Force loses decorated officer in encounter with armed Maoists

Who is Anmol Bishnoi? 5 things about the gangster extradited to India from US