AP CM mourns death of Congress leader

Hyderabad, Dec 28 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy today mourned the sudden death of senior Congress leader and Khairatabad MLA P Janardhan Reddy.

Speaking to newspersons here, Dr Reddy said his death was a big loss to the Congress party in the state. The departed leader had fought for the people on every problem that arose in the capital and stood by them until their problems were solved.

Recalling that he and P J Reddy entered the Assembly in 1978, the Chief Minister said his sudden death was unfortunate.

Extending heartfelt condolence to the bereaved family, Dr Reddy said the last rites of the senior Congress leader would be held with police honours.

In a press release here, Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) acting President G D Rao expressed grief over the sudden death of Reddy. His untimely death was an irreparable loss to the party, he added.

The state government's Special Representative at New Delhi Ravi Mallu said, ''I am deeply shocked at the sudden demise of the Congress leader. He was known as a great labour leader and was among the masses for any eventuality at any time.'' ''Mr Reddy was a selfless dedicated Congress worker, who right from the beginning, made footprints among the labour classes,'' Mr Ravi added.

CPI(M) State Secretary B V Raghavulu said Reddy fought in the Assembly by raising the issues of the people of Hyderabad, since he was an elected MLA.

BJP State unit President and former Union Minister Bandaru Dattatreya said, ''Reddy was a good friend of mine. He dedicated his life for the poor and strove hard to provide all amenities like drinking water, laying roads and train transportation to the people in the city.'' UNI