Andhra leaders pay tribute to YSR

Chief Minister K Rosaiah, Telugu Desam Party president N Chandrababu Naidu and Praja Rajyam chief Chiranjeevi were among the top leaders who paid homage to late Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy on Friday night.

A two-minute silence was also observed in memory of Reddy during an all-party condolence meeting organised by the state government in which several ministers, Members of Legislative Assembly, Members of Parliament, Members of Legislative Council and other leaders participated.

Speaking on the occasion, Rosaiah said, "Reddy had a unique personality. He always kept his word and his leadership qualities made people admire him. No surprise that he never lost an election in his long political career since 1978."

Recalling his association with Reddy, Naidu said, "We both started our political careers in 1977 and were ministerial colleagues under three chief ministers. We fought bitterly after I quit Congress. But it was never personal. It was on people's issues. On September 1, we were in the state assembly together. On September 2, his tragic death happened. It is so hard to believe that he is no more."

State assembly Speaker N Kiran Kumar Reddy said the late chief minister retained the same smile throughout the day. "It is so difficult to imagine the assembly session without his presence," he said. Legislative Council Chairman K Chakrapani said the real tribute to Reddy would be fulfilling the development projects launched by him.

Hailing Reddy's personal qualities like his friendly and courageous nature, Chiranjeevi said he observed him during the recently-concluded assembly session. Recalling his personal experience with Reddy, the actor-turned-politician narrated a 2005 incident when the late chief minister had offered him a journey to Hyderabad in his helicopter, the one which crashed on September 2.

"In 2005, I was invited to Cuddipah for an official function. Reddy offered to take me in his helicopter. When we were flying above the Nallamala forest, he explained me the geography of the region. It is the same chopper and the same Nallamala forest where Reddy was killed. Recalling that journey is a terrible experience," he said.

State Congress president D Srinivas said he and Reddy were a winning combination for the 2004 and 2009 assembly elections. "Reddy's death is a massive loss to the Congress and the state," he said.

Telanagana Rashtriya Samiti chief K Chandrasekhar Rao praised the 'unique style' and leadership qualities of the late chief minister, while state Bharatiya Janata Party president Bandaru Dattatreya said, "Despite ideological differences, Reddy welcomed his political rivals with the same warmth and friendship." Courage and decisiveness were the hallmarks of Reddy's personality, he added.

Citing the example of Reddy naming two irrigation projects after Communist leaders, Communist Party of India state secretary K Narayana said the late CM rose above politics when it came to matters of development.

Communist Party of India - Marxist state secretary B V Raghavulu said both, the state and the country, have lost a great leader with the demise of Reddy.

Hailing Reddy's services to Muslims, Majlis Ittehadul Muslimeen president and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi said the late chief minister's initiatives of reservations and fees reimbursement helped Muslim students a lot.

Reddy's brother Y S Vivekananda Reddy thanked all for the love and affection they showered on their family.

Photograph: Snapsindia