Paripati Janardhan Reddy (12 January 1948 – 28 December 2007), popularly known as PJR, was an

Indian National Congress The Indian National Congress (INC), colloquially the Congress Party but often simply the Congress, is a political party in India with widespread roots. Founded in 1885, it was the first modern nationalist movement to emerge in the British Em ...

party leader and labour leader from Andhra Pradesh. He was elected and served as Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) five times for the

Hyderabad Hyderabad ( ; , ) is the capital and largest city of the Indian state of Telangana and the ''de jure'' capital of Andhra Pradesh. It occupies on the Deccan Plateau along the banks of the Musi River (India), Musi River, in the northern part ...

constituency of

Khairtabad Khairatabad is a neigbbourhood in Hyderabad, Telangana, India. It is a mandal in the Secunderabad Revenue division of Hyderabad District. This is a Zone in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation. There are five circles in this zone namely ...

until his death.

Early life

P. Janardhan Reddy was born on 12 January 1948 to P. Papi Reddy and Shivamma in Domalguda,

. He received a diploma in Electrical Engineering from a

polytechnic college An institute of technology (also referred to as: technological university, technical university, university of technology, technological educational institute, technical college, polytechnic university or just polytechnic) is an institution of te ...

. Reddy worked as a supervisor in the AP Electrical Equipment Corporation in Sanathnagar,

Political career

Reddy started his career as a

trade union A trade union (labor union in American English), often simply referred to as a union, is an organization of workers intent on "maintaining or improving the conditions of their employment", ch. I such as attaining better wages and benefits ( ...

leader in 1967. He represented many industrial trade unions before entering mainstream politics. He represented labour unions of Hyderabad Alwin, Kesavram Cements, NTPC and Vizag Steel factory. He was also the President for Associated Glass Industries Workers Union, A.P. Electrical Equipment Corporation Employees Union, A.P. Agro Industries Employees Union and Krishi Engines. Reddy was first elected to Andhra Pradesh assembly in 1978 and four more times (1985, 1989, 1994 and 2004) from

Khairatabad Khairatabad is a neigbbourhood in Hyderabad, Telangana, India. It is a mandal in the Secunderabad Revenue division of Hyderabad District. This is a Zone in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation. There are five circles in this zone namely M ...

constituency in Hyderabad, which is one of the most populous constituencies in the state. He lost only once to Telugu Desam rivals in 1999 Assembly elections. Reddy was Minister of Co-Operation and Youth Services in 1980, Archives Minister in 1982, Labour, Employment and Housing Minister from 1990 to 1992, and Civil Supplies Minister in 1993. As Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader between 1994 and 1999, he led Congress members in the assembly. He was an effective leader of the opposition during the regime of N.T. Rama Rao and N. Chandrababu Naidu. He led many popular agitations in Hyderabad city against Telugu Desam governments. He was a supporter of separate state for

Telangana Telangana (; , ) is a States and union territories of India, state in India situated on the south-central stretch of the Indian subcontinent, Indian peninsula on the high Deccan Plateau. It is the List of states and union territories of India b ...

. He actively fought for a fair share of funds for Telangana region.

Personal life

Reddy was married to Sulochana. They have a son, P. Vishnuvardhan Reddy, and four daughters. Their first daughter, Gayathri Reddy, the second Anuragini Reddy, the third Vijaya Reddy, and the youngest is Pavani Reddy. Reddy suffered a heart attack on 28 December 2007, while on his way to a party meeting. He was rushed to hospital but died on the way. Thousands of people milled around his house to pay their respects to their leader. He was cremated with state honours in the presence of thousands of his followers and congress leaders. After Reddy's death, his son P. Vishnuvardhan Reddy and daughter Vijaya Reddy entered into politics. P. Vishnuvardhan Reddy was elected as the MLA from Jubilee Hills Assembly constituency. Reddy's daughter Vijaya Reddy, initially an independent candidate, joined YSR Congress in 2012. She left YSR Congress to join TRS with her followers in 2014.

Honors

P. Janardhan Reddy's statue was unveiled at the Khairatabad junction on the first anniversary of his death. His daughter, Vijaya Reddy, started the PJR foundation in 2011 for the welfare of the common people.

References

External links

Thousands pay last respects to Janardhan Reddy
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Hindustan Times ''Hindustan Times'' is an Indian English-language daily newspaper based in Delhi. It is the flagship publication of HT Media, an entity controlled by the KK Birla family, and is owned by Shobhana Bhartia. It was founded by Sunder Singh Lyall ...

'', 29 December 2007 {{DEFAULTSORT:Reddy, P. Janardhan 1948 births 2007 deaths Telangana politicians Leaders of the Opposition in the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly Indian National Congress politicians