Hyderabad, December 07: The Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly today paid glowing tributes to former Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, who was killed in a tragic helicopter crash on September 2.
Moving the condolence resolution in the House, Chief Minister K Rosaiah lauded the services of the former Chief Minister, stating ‘YSR’ was a committed leader, who fought for the welfare of the downtrodden.
He said in the death of Rajasekhara Reddy, Andhra Pradesh, particularly the Congress, had lost a leader, who had fulfilled the aspirations of the common people. He further said YSR was more concerned about the welfare of farmers, women, poor people and had launched several welfare and developmental programmes during his five-and-half-year regime.
The former chief minister had implemented his election promises of seven-hour free power supply to farmers and waived off the electricity arrears of farmers to the tune of Rs 1,287 crore soon after he became the chief minister, Mr Rosaiah pointed out. He also said Rajasekhara Reddy was the first Chief Minister in the country to set up 16 universities in a span of five years, three IIITs and six medical and degress colleges to provide professional education to all sections of the people. He also provided scholarships.
Opposition Telugu Desam Party(TDP) President N Chandrababu Naidu, supporting the resolution, recalled his association with Rajasekhara Reddy for the last 30 years. He had entered into politics along with YSR in year 1978, and the state assembly also around the same time. Both worked as ministers in the former Chief Minister T Anjaiah’s cabinet.
”We differed on issues and on policies concerning the people, but there were no personal differences between us,” he said.
Praja Rajyam Party (PRP) President Chiranjeevi said the former Chief Minister was a “great leader”, loved by one and all.
Rajasekhara Reddy had good knowledge of the state’s politics and administration. He knew the pulse of the people and launched several welfare programmes, he statede. He also said the present Chief Minister Mr Rosaiah should continue the programmes launched by ‘YSR’ for the poor people.
——Agencies