legend Y.S.Rajasekhara Reddy

Y.S.Rajasekhara Reddy was the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. His full name is Yeduguri Sanditi Rajasekhara Reddy famously known as YSR. He represented the Congress Party. He contested as the Lok Sabha member from Cuddapah constituency for four times and won the seat. He also won in assembly elections for five times from pulivendula constituency. He didn’t loose any election through out his political career. He created a sensation by doing the paadayaatra, a walking tour for three months in 2003. He continuously won in the elections of 2004 and 2009 and became the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. But unfortunately, he was dead in a crash of helicopter on 2 September 2009 in Nallamala forests near Kurnool.

YSR was born at Jammalamadugu Mission hospital near Pulivendula, Andhra Pradesh. He was from a Christian background. His parents are Y.S.Raja Reddy and Jayamma. He did his schooling from Bellary and graduation with a degree in medical science from Mahadevappa Rampure Medical College (MRMC), Karnataka. He completed his House Surgeonship at S.V.MedicalCollege , Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. He was later married to Vijaya Lakshmi. They had a son and a daughter. Son, Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy is currently in politics. His brother Y.S. Vivekananda Reddy is also a politician.

He practiced medicine for some period in his native Cuddapah. His father built a hospital for him which is still running presently. His family runs a polytechnic College and a junior college at Pulivendula.

He first contested on Reddy-Congress Party from Pulivendula in 1978. He served as the Minister in different important positions under T. Anjaiah Cabinet.

He led a 1400 km long paadayaatra (journey on foot) during mid-summer to understand the problems of backward classes. He also led a hunger strike demanding solution to water crisis.

Then later, he was elected as the Chief Minister after the downfall of Telugudesam Party, N. Chandrababu Naidu in the year 2004. He continued his victory in the next elections in 2009 also. He conducetd various programs for the welfare of poor people like:

·         Jala Yagnam – Its aim is to construct 70 irrigation projects which were pending and improve irrigation.

·         Free power supply for farmers for 7 hours a day.

·         Rajiv Arogya Shree – Health emergency services in Rural areas. He introduced the system of 108 ambulance wherever accidents occur.

·         Pavala Vaddi – It is mainly targeted for women. It provides loans to the people at 3% per year.

·         Indiramma Illu-  Constructing houses at a smaller amount for the rural masses.

·         Rs.2 per kg rice scheme.

·         Free college seat for minority, backward students.

These great programs led him to win instead of a great competition from opposition parties Telugudesam and PrajaRajyam (Chiranjeevi).

But this didn’t last for a longer time. Since he was crashed in an accident  at Nallamala forests. His Bell 430 helicopter went missing on Wednesday, 2 September 2009 at 9:35 am. Then on the next day the government confirmed him dead. Along with him another 5 people were also dead. This created a great sensation all over the world. Later after his death the former Finance Minister, Konijeti Rosaiah became the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. Hearing this news, over 300 dead with heart attacks, suicides.