Congress leader S Jaipal Reddy cremated with state honours

Hyderabad: Leaders of various political parties, friends, relatives and well wishers on Monday bid a tearful adieu to former Union minister and senior Congress leader S. Jaipal Reddy at Neck-lace Road in the city.

Jaipal Reddy, 77, passed away in the early hours of Sunday in a hospital in the city.

Former Karnataka Assembly Speaker K.R. Ramesh Kumar and former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah carry the body of the departed leader for cremation on Monday at Necklace Road.He was cremated near PV Ghat on Necklace Road with full state honours. His eldest son Arvind Reddy lit the pyre as hundreds of people including politicians and the late leader’s relatives gathered at the cremation site despite inclement weather, to give a tearful adieu the beloved leader. Armed police personnel gave a gun salute by firing three rounds in the air.

Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad, Mallikarjun Kharge, and R.C. Khuntia were present, as were former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah and former speaker K.R. Ramesh Kumar, who joined the family members in carrying the body for the last rites.

In the morning, Rajya Sabha, chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu became quite emotional while reading out the obituary reference to Jaipal Reddy, who was two times RS member, and recalled his 40 year long association with him.