File image of Reddy

VIJAYWADA: Industrialist, parliamentarian and Jana Sena leader SPY Reddy died at a corporate hospital in Hyderabad on Tuesday night. He was 69 and had been ailing for quite sometime.

Reddy, who won from Nandyal parliament seat in 2014 general elections on YSRCP ticket, switched to the ruling TDP. He quit the TDP just before 2019 general elections and joined the Jana Sena of film actor Pavan Kalyan. He, however, could not campaign for the party in April 11 polls due to ill health. Reddy was hospitalized on April 3 due to age-related ailments.

A three-time MP, Reddy was associated with the Congress, BJP, TDP and Jana Sena. He also served as the chairman of Nandyal municipality.

An engineer by education, Reddy started his career with BARC, Mumbai, as a scientific officer. He later quit BARC and launched his own industrial group - Nandi group of companies. His business interests include PVC pipes and dairy.

SPY Reddy is popular for his philanthropic activities in Kurnool district and other parts of Andhra Pradesh. In 2001 he created a revolution when his Nandi group sold Jowar roti and a cup of dal for Rs 2. A number of counters were set up in Nandyal, Panyam and Kurnool towns where thousands of poor people and workers benefited. A counter was also set up in Hyderabad.

Reddy used to operate these counters through unemployed youth, who were paid a commission on sales. Every day about 30,000 Jowar rotis were sold. It had inspired several philanthropists to launch similar initiatives.

Reddy began his political career with the BJP. After he failed to win on the BJP ticket, he joined the Congress. He was elected to the Lok Sabha for the first time in 2004 on Congress ticket.

Even as he was hospitalized, a CBI team raided his residence in Nandyal in connection with a bank loan default case. Reddy was, however, not aware of the raid. The CBI was arrmed with court orders to conduct the raids as AP government had earlier withdrawn general consent to the CBI to operate in AP.

Chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Jana Sena leader Pawan Kalyan condoled his death and recalled his services to people.

