<p>Andhra Pradesh IT, industries minister Mekapati Goutham Reddy passed away in Hyderabad on Monday morning after suffering a heart attack.</p>.<p>The 50-year-old was well built and was a fitness enthusiast. The minister's sudden demise has reminded people of the shocking death of Kannada superstar Puneeth Rajkumar in October.</p>.<p>Mekapati tested positive for Covid-19 last month, but had recovered.</p>.<p>Mekapati (50) was in Dubai for the Expo for the past few days and returned to Hyderabad, after managing to attract an investment interest of Rs 10,350 crore.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read — <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/national-politics/bjp-moves-to-please-andhra-pradesh-cm-jagan-amid-sour-relations-with-kcr-1083092.html" target="_blank">BJP moves to please Andhra Pradesh CM Jagan amid sour relations with KCR</a></strong></p>.<p>The minister collapsed while at his home in Hyderabad at about 7:15 on Monday morning. Family members and his staff rushed him to the Apollo Hospitals, Jubilee Hills. Despite the doctors' efforts for about 90 minutes, the minister could not be revived.</p>.<p>Mekapati was a two-time MLA from the Atmakuru constituency in Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh. He was the son of industrialist and former YSRCP MP Mekapati Rajmoahan Reddy, who has been steadfast in his support to Jaganmohan Reddy since the inception of the party over a decade ago.</p>.<p>Mekapati was made the minister with the important IT and industries portfolio after Jagan became the CM in 2019.</p>.<p>Jagan expressed his deep shock and profound grief over the untimely demise of Mekapati. “Gowtham was a young, promising leader known to me since childhood. Words fail to describe this loss of my cabinet colleague, a good friend and a great leader,” he said.</p>.<p>Jagan and his wife Bharathi Reddy rushed to Hyderabad and paid floral tributes at the minister’s residence. They consoled the bereaved family members.</p>.<p>Former CM Chandrababu Naidu, Telangana IT, industries minister K T Rama Rao were among the leaders who also visited the Mekapati family and offered condolences.</p>.<p>The Andhra Pradesh government has declared a two-day state mourning and the final rites will be held with full state honours in Mekapati's native Nellore district.</p>.<p>Mekapati leaves behind his wife, one daughter and a son.</p>.<p><strong>Watch the latest DH Videos here:</strong></p>
<p>Andhra Pradesh IT, industries minister Mekapati Goutham Reddy passed away in Hyderabad on Monday morning after suffering a heart attack.</p>.<p>The 50-year-old was well built and was a fitness enthusiast. The minister's sudden demise has reminded people of the shocking death of Kannada superstar Puneeth Rajkumar in October.</p>.<p>Mekapati tested positive for Covid-19 last month, but had recovered.</p>.<p>Mekapati (50) was in Dubai for the Expo for the past few days and returned to Hyderabad, after managing to attract an investment interest of Rs 10,350 crore.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read — <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/national-politics/bjp-moves-to-please-andhra-pradesh-cm-jagan-amid-sour-relations-with-kcr-1083092.html" target="_blank">BJP moves to please Andhra Pradesh CM Jagan amid sour relations with KCR</a></strong></p>.<p>The minister collapsed while at his home in Hyderabad at about 7:15 on Monday morning. Family members and his staff rushed him to the Apollo Hospitals, Jubilee Hills. Despite the doctors' efforts for about 90 minutes, the minister could not be revived.</p>.<p>Mekapati was a two-time MLA from the Atmakuru constituency in Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh. He was the son of industrialist and former YSRCP MP Mekapati Rajmoahan Reddy, who has been steadfast in his support to Jaganmohan Reddy since the inception of the party over a decade ago.</p>.<p>Mekapati was made the minister with the important IT and industries portfolio after Jagan became the CM in 2019.</p>.<p>Jagan expressed his deep shock and profound grief over the untimely demise of Mekapati. “Gowtham was a young, promising leader known to me since childhood. Words fail to describe this loss of my cabinet colleague, a good friend and a great leader,” he said.</p>.<p>Jagan and his wife Bharathi Reddy rushed to Hyderabad and paid floral tributes at the minister’s residence. They consoled the bereaved family members.</p>.<p>Former CM Chandrababu Naidu, Telangana IT, industries minister K T Rama Rao were among the leaders who also visited the Mekapati family and offered condolences.</p>.<p>The Andhra Pradesh government has declared a two-day state mourning and the final rites will be held with full state honours in Mekapati's native Nellore district.</p>.<p>Mekapati leaves behind his wife, one daughter and a son.</p>.<p><strong>Watch the latest DH Videos here:</strong></p>
