Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister S. Jaipal Reddy died due to pneumonia and brief illness at a private hospital in Hyderabad in the early hours of Sunday. He was 77 years old. Educated in Naglonda district, Jaipal Reddy was active in politics right from his college days. He served long-time as an MLA and as an MP from Mahbubnagar and Nalgonda districts. He was Union Information and Public Relations Minister in the IK Gujral Cabinet.

Jaipal Reddy received the best Parliamentarian award. He was the first leader to receive this award from South India. At one point of time, he opposed the emergency rule imposed by Indira Gandhi. He joined the Janata Party and served as its general secretary for three years.

Jaipal Reddy was born in Madugula in the united Mahbubnagar district. He was also a candidate for Chief Minister post several times but he missed the opportunity every time. He is considered one of the stalwarts in the Congress party. Towards the end of his life, Jaipal Reddy strongly voiced his support for the Congress leadership and criticised the KCR government on several occasions.