Dr.Y.S.Rajasekhara Reddy was a true mass leader, one who ruled the state and hearts of millions through his various welfare schemes launched during his tenureship as Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. Born on 8 July 1949 he was a doctor by profession and was first elected in 1980. Married to Y.S. Vijayalakshmi he was a devout Christian by faith. His life was cut short after a tragic helicopter accident killing him along with 4 others on 2 September 2009.
What a father can mean to his son can be reflected from the series of speeches and tweets of Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy who is hailed as successor of late Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy. On the 6th death anniversary of his father he tweeted
"The State lost a legendary leader on this fateful day. His dreams and vision remain with us for all of us to pursue and achieve".
One can find mention of his father every time he opens about describing ambitions in his life. YS Jagan has been carrying his father's legacy in state's politics ever since the death of the late Chief Minister in a helicopter crash in 2009.
Personal Life
Born on 8th of July 1949 in Pulivendula town which was then part of Madras State, Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy was known for his political acumen. Son of Y.S. Raja Reddy he began his career as an activist aside his father. He was married to Vijaya Lakshmi (Y. S. Vijayamma).They had one son, politician Y. S. Jagan Mohan, and one daughter, Y. S. Sharmila. His younger sibling Y. S. Vivekananda also a Congress (I) politician. In his personal life YSR as he was popularly known was secular in nature. Though a devout Christians he visited temple of Lord Venkateswara in Tirupati regularly. A two-time Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh he was killed in a helicopter crash on 2nd September, 2009.
Education and Career
Y S Rajasekhara Reddy was son of late Sri Y.S.Raja Reddy, a dynamic leader in his heyday. Though interested in politics right from his student days he studied medicine in M R Medical College, Gulbarga, Karnataka, and served as President of the Students union. He was elected leader of the House Surgeon’s Association in S V Medical College, Tirupati. After completing his studies he was appointed as Medical Officer at the Jammalamadugu Mission Hospital for a brief period. To overcome the shortage of medical deficiencies he established a 70-bed charitable hospital in 1973 as tribute to his father late Y.S.Raja Reddy at Pulivendula. Today one can also find a polytechnic and a degree college in the area established by the
family running under the well-known Loyola group of institutions.
Emergence As A Mass Leader in Andhra Pradesh
Yeduguri Sandinti Rajasekhara Reddy, popularly referred to as Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, was one of the most popular faces in the political history of Andhra Pradesh. He rose to become two time chief minister through the implementation of various welfare schemes making him much popular among the common masses. His popularity was the reason why Reddy never lost any election from the time he started contesting till the end of his career.
The ability to convince and connect with people was instrumental in assuring his massive victory in successive elections. The central leadership in Delhi as acknowledgement of his wide ranging experience appointed him as leader of opposition in the Andhra Pradesh state assembly in 1999. Extremely hardworking and honest by approach he toured across state on foot for three months as part of his election campaign in 2004. After the massive electoral win of Congress party in 2004 Assembly election he was an obvious choice for the post of Chief Minster by central leadership.From 2004-09 he came up with various welfare schemes in the state. To begin with he delivered free electric supply to the homes of farmers, as promised during the time of elections just after taking the oath as Chief Minister.
Welfare Scheme like Rajiv Arogya Shree, Jala Yagnam scheme along with various programs like Pavala Vaddi, Indiramma Illu, Free ambulance services brought him laurels from across the state. He desisted from mud-slinging and believed in performance. Infact YSR's major campaign slogan for the 2009 election was "Development and Credibility". An excellent orator he made no new promises but vowed to continue and extend ongoing schemes. The election result was an eye opener for many as the Congress Party under YSR won 156 seats defeating the 'Grand alliance' (mahakootami) by a handsome margin. He became the Congress party’s first incumbent chief minister since 1969 to win based on his performance. He took oath of office for the second term 2009–2014 on 20 May 2009 in Hyderabad's Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium attended by a crowd of about 20,000 people.
Positions Held
Minister of State for rural development (1980–82)
Excise Minister (1982)
Education Minister (1982–83)
Leader of Opposition, Andhra Pradesh State Assembly (1999–2004)
Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh (2004–2009)
Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh (20-May-2009 To 2 September 2009)
Death
The life of such a great personality was cut short due to very tragic death on September 2, 2009 in a helicopter crash. His charred body along with others was found near the wreckage of Bell 430 helicopter owned by the Andhra Pradesh Government. He was laid to rest on the morning of September 4 at Idupulapai in Kadapa district with full state honours in accordance with Christian rites. Such was the impact of his sudden death that many people mostly in rural parts of Andhra Pradesh, died either due to a cardiac arrest or by committing suicide. Ultimately his son and successor Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy have to make appeal to the people not to take their precious lives. A true leader in every sense he is still missed by the people of the region.
Timeline
1949: Y S Rajasekhara Reddy is born on July
1980: Became the minister of state for rural development
1982: Became the excise minister of Andhra Pradesh
1982: Took oath as the education minister
1999: Became the chief leader of opposition in the Andhra Pradesh state assembly elections
2003: Walked on foot for three months as part of his election campaign for the 2004 elections to the post of Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh
2004: Elected Chief Minister of AP for the first time on May 14 2004: Provided free electricity to rural areas of AP
2009: Elected Chief Minister for the second time on May 20
2009: Died in a helicopter crash on September 2009
Y S R's funeral service is arranged on September 4
Spouse: Y.S. Vijayalakshmi
Children: Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy & Y. S. Sharmila
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