Condolences poured in after the sudden demise of Andhra Pradesh minister Mekapati Goutham Reddy, who died after suffering a cardiac arrest in Hyderabad in the early hours of Monday, February 21. Goutham Reddy, who was 50, is survived by his wife, daughter and son. He had returned to Hyderabad a couple of days ago after spending 10 days in Dubai, where the Andhra Pradesh Industries Department had set up a stall in the ongoing Dubai Expo to attract investments into the state. Goutham held the portfolios of Industries, Commerce, IT & Skill Development in the Andhra Pradesh government.
Leaders from across party lines expressed grief over Goutham Reddy’s passing, with many people fondly reminiscing of him as a gentle, mild-mannered man and a committed leader. Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy in a statement expressed "deep shock and profound grief" over Goutham Reddy’s untimely demise, whom he called “a young promising leader” who was known to him since his early days. Expressing anguish over the tragic incident, CM Jagan said that words fail to describe the loss of his young cabinet colleague, and conveyed his condolences to Goutham Reddy’s family.
The Andhra Pradesh government has declared two days of state mourning for Goutham Reddy, and has decided to perform his last rites with official honours.
At a gathering of officials and YSRCP leaders at his residence, CM Jagan reportedly recalled his relationship with Goutham Reddy. He expressed his grief, saying that the two were well-acquainted since childhood. He said he has lost not just a friend but also a capable minister, and recalled his contributions to the state’s development. Jagan is expected to reach Hyderabad in the afternoon on Monday, February 21 to pay his respects.
Vice President Venkaiah Naidu remembered Goutham as a gentle, cultured man and as a leader with an awareness of public issues and commitment to his work.
ఆంధ్రప్రదేశ్ పరిశ్రమల, ఐటీ శాఖ మంత్రి శ్రీ మేకపాటి గౌతమ్ రెడ్డి పరమపదించడం అత్యంత విచారకరం. వారు ఎంతో సౌమ్యులు, సంస్కారవంతులు. ప్రజా సమస్యల పట్ల అవగాహన, చేసే పని పట్ల నిబద్దత కలిగిన నాయకులు. pic.twitter.com/XKj0APsHLU
— Vice President of India (@VPSecretariat) February 21, 2022
Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal recalled meeting Goutham Reddy on several occasions to discuss matters related to the development of Andhra Pradesh.
Saddened by the sudden demise of Andhra Pradesh Industries & IT minister, Mekapati Goutham Reddy.
— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) February 21, 2022
We have had several opportunities to meet and discuss matters related to the development of Andhra Pradesh. My heartfelt condolences to his family in their hour of mourning.
All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief and Lok Sabha Member of Parliament (MP) from Hyderabad, Asadaddin Owaisi called him a bright politician and spoke about their long-term friendship. “My condolences to Mekapati family on the sad & sudden demise of @MekapatiGoutham a dear friend of 25 years we had spend some wonderful times which will be etched in my memory
Gautam was a bright politician ,always concerned about his District & fantastic minister
Life is short (sic),” Owaisi wrote.
My condolences to Mekapati family on the sad & sudden demise of @MekapatiGoutham a dear friend of 25 years we had spend some wonderful times which will be etched in my memory
— Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) February 21, 2022
Gautam was a bright politician ,always concerned about his District & fantastic minister
Life is short
Leader of Opposition and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief Chandrababu Naidu wrote: “Mekapati Goutham Reddy's sudden death has come as a great shock. I pray to God that his soul attains peace... I extend my deepest sympathies to their family members.”
ఆంధ్రప్రదేశ్ రాష్ట్ర ఐటీ, పరిశ్రమల శాఖ మంత్రి, వైసీపీ నేత మేకపాటి గౌతమ్ రెడ్డి గారి హఠాన్మరణ వార్త దిగ్భ్రాంతికి గురిచేసింది. ఆయన ఆత్మకు శాంతి చేకూరాలని భగవంతుని ప్రార్థిస్తూ... వారి కుటుంబ సభ్యులకు నా ప్రగాఢ సానుభూతిని తెలియజేస్తున్నాను pic.twitter.com/zyZZuVBgLe
— N Chandrababu Naidu (@ncbn) February 21, 2022
Telangana Minister and TRS Working President KT Rama Rao, Union Minister G Kishan Reddy, Telangana Congress chief Revanth Reddy, YSR Telangana Party president and CM Jagan’s sister YS Sharmila, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MP Amol Kolhe, and Jana Sena Party chief Pawan Kalyan were among the many politicians who expressed their condolences.
Deeply saddened & shocked beyond belief to learn about the sudden demise of dear friend @MekapatiGoutham Garu
— KTR (@KTRTRS) February 21, 2022
My heartfelt condolences to the family & friends in this hour of grief
Gone too soon brother. Pray that you rest in peace pic.twitter.com/9V7IYk3o03
ఏపీ ఐటీ,పరిశ్రమల శాఖ మంత్రి శ్రీ మేకపాటి గౌతమ్ రెడ్డి గారి హఠాన్మరణ వార్త విని తీవ్ర దిగ్భ్రాంతికి గురయ్యాను. వారి మృతి పట్ల తీవ్ర విచారం వ్యక్తం చేస్తూ,వారి పవిత్ర ఆత్మకు సద్గతులు ప్రసాదించాలని భగవంతుడిని ప్రార్థిస్తున్నాను.
— G Kishan Reddy (@kishanreddybjp) February 21, 2022
వారి కుటుంబ సభ్యులకు నా ప్రగాఢ సానుభూతి.
ఓం శాంతి pic.twitter.com/7yNaOudXSw
Shocked to know about the sudden demise of #MekapatiGowthamReddy garu at such a young age….My deepest condolences to the friends and family.
— Revanth Reddy (@revanth_anumula) February 21, 2022
Deeply saddened by the sudden death of AP Industries, Commerce, Information Technology Minister, Goutham Reddy Mekapati. This business tycoon also did a remarkable job in his political career with YSRCP. May his soul rest in peace. My condolences are with the Reddy family. https://t.co/dFGWV2Xmpe
— Dr.Amol Kolhe (@kolhe_amol) February 21, 2022
It is shocking to learn about untimely demise of my dear friend Mekapati Gautam Reddy. May his soul Rest In Peace. My Heartfelt condolences to the family. #RestinPeace pic.twitter.com/deaBPvZcQ4
— YS Sharmila (@realyssharmila) February 21, 2022
As a mark of respect, the makers of Pawan Kalyan’s upcoming film Bheemla Nayak announced that they were postponing the pre-release event for promoting the film.
Our deepest condolences to the family & friends of AP Minister Mekapati Goutham Reddy garu on his sudden demise. As a mark of respect, the pre-release event of #BheemlaNayak won't be happening today!
— Sithara Entertainments (@SitharaEnts) February 21, 2022
Actor-politician and TDP MLA Nandamuri Balakrishna in a statement said that Goutham Reddy was friendly with everyone, regardless of their political affiliation. “He worked with integrity on people’s issues,” Balakrishna said.
Lok Satta founder Jayaprakash Narayan remembered him as a “young, brilliant, energetic, committed, inspiring leader.”
Mekapati Goutham's sudden passing is a terrible blow to AP and Telugu people. A young, brilliant, energetic, committed, inspiring leader has been snatched away by untimely death. It leaves a void in public life. My deepest condolences to the family and friends.
— Jayaprakash Narayan (@JP_LOKSATTA) February 21, 2022
Om Shanti.
ఏపి పరిశ్రమల శాఖ మంత్రిగా చురుకుగా పనిచేస్తున్న మేకపాటి గౌతమ్ రెడ్డి గారు 50 ఏళ్ళ వయసులోనే కన్ను మూయడం రాష్ట్రానికి తీరని లోటు.
— Vasireddy Padma (@padma_vasireddy) February 21, 2022
రాష్ట్రం కోసం శక్తివంచన లేకుండా కృషి చేస్తూ సీఎం జగన్ గారి అభిమానం పొందిన యువనేత
వారి కుటుంబానికి ప్రగాఢ సానుభూతి దివంగత నేతకు శ్రద్ధాంజలి pic.twitter.com/xszMlFTSfD
మేకపాటి గౌతమ్ రెడ్డి గారి అకాల మరణం నన్ను దిగ్భ్రాంతికి గురిచేసింది. ఆయన్ను నేను మూడు సందర్భాల్లో వైజాగ్, విజయవాడ, హైదరాబాద్ (IFS ఆఫీసర్స్ సదస్సు) లో కలిశాను. వారి కుటుంబానికి, మిత్రులకు నా ప్రగాఢ సానుభూతిని తెలియజేస్తున్నాను https://t.co/SQNrKBVJ2I pic.twitter.com/g1IWQG7Guk
— Dr Andrew Fleming (@Andrew007Uk) February 21, 2022
Former IAS officer Dr PV Ramesh remembered him as a “warm, effusive, friendly gentleman.” “As #Minister he was proactive, keen & committed to his work,” he wrote.
Shocked to learn that @MekapatiGoutham is no more. He was a warm, effusive, friendly gentleman. As #Minister he was proactive, keen & committed to his work. Fortunate to have worked with him. Heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/j1uQAu7kif
— Dr PV Ramesh (@RameshPV2010) February 21, 2022
It’s terrible to hear about the loss of Sri Goutham Reddy, Minister for Industries, AP.
— Srijana Gummalla (@GummallaSrijana) February 21, 2022
I express my sincere sympathy to his family and friends.
Words can't express how saddened we are to hear of the loss of great minister. pic.twitter.com/IcjZdJGLSV
Several leaders from the opposition TDP and BJP also offered condolences.
I’m shocked & deeply anguished to learn about the sudden & untimely demise of my dear friend, AP Minister, Shri Mekapati Goutham Reddy. It’s a great loss for the state, country, and for me personally. I extend my deepest condolences to his family, friends & followers. Om Shant pic.twitter.com/YIX0st3eMy
— Jay Galla (@JayGalla) February 21, 2022
మేకపాటి గౌతమ్రెడ్డి హ‌ఠాన్మ‌ర‌ణంతో తీవ్ర దిగ్ర్భాంతికి గురయ్యాను. ఫిట్నెస్‌కి అత్య‌ధిక ప్రాధాన్యం ఇచ్చే మంత్రి గారికి గుండెపోటు రావ‌డం అత్యంత విచారకరం. విదేశాల‌లో ఉన్న‌త విద్యాభ్యాసం చేసి వ‌చ్చినా విన‌యం, విధేయ‌త‌లు ఆయన చిరునామా.(1/2) pic.twitter.com/aHTOZ9RCT4
— Lokesh Nara (@naralokesh) February 21, 2022
ఆంధ్రప్రదేశ్ రాష్ట్ర ఐటీ, పరిశ్రమల శాఖ మంత్రి, వైసీపీ నేత మేకపాటి గౌతమ్ రెడ్డి గారి హఠాన్మరణ వార్త దిగ్భ్రాంతికి గురిచేసింది. ఆయన ఆత్మకు శాంతి చేకూరాలని భగవంతుని ప్రార్థిస్తూ... వారి కుటుంబ సభ్యులకు నా ప్రగాఢ సానుభూతిని తెలియజేస్తున్నాను pic.twitter.com/wR3AFtWl3m
— Kinjarapu Atchannaidu (@katchannaidu) February 21, 2022
ఏపీ మంత్రి మేకపాటి గౌతమ్ రెడ్డి మరణం బాధాకరం.వారి స్మృతి కి నివాళులు అర్పిస్తూ వారి కుటుంబ సభ్యులు కి నా సానుభూతి ని తెలుపుతున్నాను.#గోరంట్ల pic.twitter.com/9zvtznfsDL
— Gorantla butchaiah choudary (@GORANTLA_BC) February 21, 2022
Deeply shocked and saddened to know about the sudden demise of AP IT & Industries Minister Shri Mekapati Goutham reddy due to massive heart attack. He is one of the few outspoken ministers in the cabinet. May his soul rest in peace. My heartfelt condolences to his family.
— K Raghu Rama Krishna Raju (@RaghuRaju_MP) February 21, 2022
Deeply saddened by the news of the sudden demise of Hon’ble minister Sri Mekapati Gowtham Reddy garu @MekapatiGoutham . My condolences to the Mekapati family,may god give them strength to overcome this sudden loss #RIPMekapatiGoutham pic.twitter.com/0EygnIrLkF
— Pattabhi Ram Kommareddy (@PattabhiRamK1) February 21, 2022
Many of his colleagues from the YSRCP also expressed shock and grief over his sudden demise.
పరిశ్రమలు,వాణిజ్య,ఐటీ శాఖామాత్యులు శ్రీ మేకపాటి గౌతమ్ రెడ్డి గారి హఠాన్మరణం దిగ్భ్రాంతి కలిగించింది. యువ నాయకుడిగా,మంత్రిగా గౌతమ్ రెడ్డి గారు రాష్ట్రానికి విశేషమైన సేవలందించారు.గౌతమ్ రెడ్డి ఆత్మకు శాంతి చేకూరాలని కోరుకుంటూ కుటుంబ సభ్యులకు ప్రగాడ సానుభూతి తెలియజేస్తున్నాను. pic.twitter.com/qEt7Qu4OMk
— Vijayasai Reddy V (@VSReddy_MP) February 21, 2022
పరిశ్రమలు,వాణిజ్య,ఐటీ శాఖామాత్యులు శ్రీ మేకపాటి గౌతమ్ రెడ్డి గారి హఠాన్మరణం దిగ్భ్రాంతి కలిగించింది. యువ నాయకుడిగా,మంత్రిగా గౌతమ్ రెడ్డి గారు రాష్ట్రానికి విశేషమైన సేవలందించారు.గౌతమ్ రెడ్డి ఆత్మకు శాంతి చేకూరాలని కోరుకుంటూ కుటుంబ సభ్యులకు ప్రగాడ సానుభూతి తెలియజేస్తున్నాను. pic.twitter.com/KGo1fGCBtg
— Nandigam Suresh YSRCP -MP (@NandigamSuresh7) February 21, 2022
పరిశ్రమలు, వాణిజ్య, ఐటీ శాఖ మంత్రి శ్రీ మేకపాటి గౌతమ్రెడ్డి గారి హఠాన్మరణం తీవ్ర దిగ్భ్రాంతి కలిగించింది. ఒక సమర్థవంతమైన నాయకుడిని కోల్పోయాం. గౌతమ్రెడ్డి గారి ఆత్మకు శాంతి చేకూరాలని ప్రార్ధిస్తూ వారి కుటుంబ సభ్యులకు నా ప్రగాఢ సానుభూతి తెలియజేస్తున్నాను.#MekapatiGauthamReddy pic.twitter.com/3ZAc0zuAd7
— Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy (@ChevireddyYSRCP) February 21, 2022
ఆంధ్రప్రదేశ్ రాష్ట్ర పరిశ్రమలు,వాణిజ్య, ఐటీ శాఖమాత్యులు మేకపాటి గౌతమ్ రెడ్డి గారు అకాలమరణం రాష్ట్రానికి తీరని లోటు, వారి పవిత్ర ఆత్మకు శాంతి కలగాలని ఆ భగవంతుడిని ప్రార్థిస్తు వారి కుటుంబానికి నా ప్రగాఢ సానుభూతిని తెలియజేస్తూన్నాను. pic.twitter.com/S7XyTwhT7n
— Gudivada Amarnath (@gudivadaamar) February 21, 2022
Extremely saddened & shocked to learn of our dear friend Mekapati Goutham garu’s demise. One of the nicest people in public life, his contributions to development of AP was tremendous. He will be deeply missed. Condolences to his family. RIP Goutham anna. #MekapatiGouthamReddy pic.twitter.com/ztTWexsMdl
— S. Rajiv Krishna (@RajivKrishnaS) February 21, 2022
Extremely shocked and saddened to hear about the passing away of Mekapati Goutham Reddy Garu. The sense of loss can't be described in words and I wish that may the departed soul rest in peace.#MekapatiGoutham
— Rajini Vidadala (@VidadalaRajini) February 21, 2022
Goutham Reddy’s body has been shifted to his residence in Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad for people to pay their final respects till the evening of February 21. His body will be shifted to Nellore on February 22, and his funeral is likely to take place on Wednesday, February 23.
Goutham Reddy was the son of former MP Mekapati Rajamohan Reddy. He was first elected to the AP Assembly in 2014 from Atmakuru constituency in his native SPS Nellore district. He was re-elected in 2019 and became a Minister in the first YSRCP government.
With PTI inputs