Former Union Minister and senior Congress leader S Jaipal Reddy passed away on Sunday at the age of 77 in Hyderabad. He was a four-time Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) and five-time Member of Parliament (MP). He was also a two-time Rajya Sabha MP and was a union minister in three governments.
He was admitted to the Asian Institute of Gastroenterology in Gachibowli a week ago and was being treated for high fever in the ICU. He passed away at 1.28 am on Sunday and his mortal remains have been kept at his Jubilee Hills residence.
The Congress leader started his political career as a student leader from Osmania University and became a Congress MLA from Kalwakurthy in Andhra Pradesh between 1969 and 1984.
He briefly quit the Congress party as a protest against the emergency imposed by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and joined the Janata Party in 1977. He would rejoin the Congress only in 1999 after winning from Miryalaguda Lok Sabha seat. He was also the MP from Chevella constituency in 2009.
Jaipal Reddy served as the Minister for Information and Broadcasting in the IK Gujral government in 1997-98 and also under the Manmohan Singh led-United Progressive Alliance (UPA-1) from 2004. He also served as Minister for Urban Development and Petroleum and Natural Gas for the UPA 1 and 2.
In 1998, he was awarded the Outstanding Parliamentarian Award, the first parliamentarian from South India to receive the award. Jaipal Reddy was known as an orator and had been a spokesperson for the political parties he represented.
He is survived by his wife, two sons and a daughter.
Condolences poured in following his demise from across party lines.
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.
— Congress (@INCIndia) July 28, 2019
We hope his family and friends find strength in their time of grief. pic.twitter.com/3BHVc07OYA
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
My condolences to the family & friends of senior leader & Former union minister Shri #JaipalReddy Garu who passed away earlier today. RIP Sir
— KTR (@KTRTRS) July 28, 2019
Deeply saddened & pained by unfortunate demise of former UnionMinister & AICC Spokesperson Shri S Jaipal Reddy Garu.
— Ghulam Ahmad Mir (@GAMIR_INC) July 28, 2019
He was a 4 term MLA, 5 term LokSabha MP, 2 term RajyaSabha MP & a former UnionMinister.
May his Divine Soul Rest in Peace& condolences to his family &Friends. pic.twitter.com/58k8yQMzHj
S Jaipal Reddy, intellectual giant, INC ideologue extraordinaire is no more. He was completely rooted, totally secular and a treat to watch both in Parliament or on a Party platform. His serious physical handicaps did not impede his Political activities in the least.
RIP!!— Brijesh Kalappa (@brijeshkalappa) July 28, 2019
I'm saddened to hear the news of the passing away of former Union Minister Sri Jaipal Reddy garu. As an MLA and MP for multiple terms, he has devoted his life for public service and impressed everyone with his oration.
— G Kishan Reddy (@kishanreddybjp) July 28, 2019
May he rest in peace,
Om Shanti pic.twitter.com/Gc8bqQkJhH