It is a personality that defined an era in politics. Former Chief Minister Yeduguri Sandinti Rajasekhara Reddy, who died in a helicopter crash on September 2, 2009 over the dense Nallamala forest, left an indelible mark on the varied political landscape of the state. His death plunged the state into a crisis, and led to several significant developments, including the formation of Telangana in 2014.
YSR, as he was known, hailed from Pulivendula and was the eldest son of Y.S Raja Reddy. After completing MBBS from Gulbarga, he worked as a medical officer at CSI Campbell Mission Hospital in Jammalamadugu in Kadapa district, before plunging into politics. Dr. Rajasekhara Reddy won his first election in the year 1978 from Pulivendula constituency and had never lost an election in his long political innings, retaining his seat even in the NTR’s wave in 1983 and 1985. He served brief stints as a Minister for Rural Development, Excise and Education before being made as Pradesh Congress Committee president, one of the youngest Congress leaders. He also made a presence in national politics, being elected as an MP from Kadapa for four consecutive terms.
The elections held in 1999 saw Congress losing narrowly to TDP and Dr. Rajasekhara Reddy wasted no opportunity in tearing apart the then ruling TDP government as a leader of opposition by launching a series of agitations against price hike, hike in electricity charges, privatisation of public units and loss of jobs. His debates with the then Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on the floor of the Assembly revealed his depth of understanding of issues. A year before election in 2004, he set out on a gruelling padayatra from Chevalla in Ranga Reddy district and ending at Itchapuram in Srikakulam district spanning 1,475 km in the heat and dust. The padatra evoked a spontaneous and tremendous response from the people and helped Congress to wrest power after ten years.
YSR has a unique dress sense. With his long cotton shirt folded and the dhoti tucked in a way that the border shows upfront, he makes an endearing appearance. With a visage that combines both majesty and an assuring smile, he has the most likable style. The image of a smiling YSR on the move waving with his left hand was the most popular image. On the day, he was sworn in as Chief Minister, Dr. Rajasekhara Reddy kept to his word by putting his first signature on the file relating to providing free power to farmers.
The period during 2004-2009 witnessed a revolutionary trend in politics as YSR launched a spree of welfare schemes that endeared himself to all sections of society. YSR Arogyasri scheme, which ensured cashless treatment of diseases, including by-pass surgeries , was such a scheme which was replicated by many states. The Fees Reimbursement scheme was another scheme which ensured several students belonging to socially and economically deprived sections were able to access higher and technical education. The timely disbursement of old age pensions and tapping Central schemes to provide housing for poor also bore his distinct signature.
Even as the elections were approaching in 2009 and the opposition formed a grand alliance, Dr. Rajasekhara Reddy remained unflinched and reiterated that he would not announce any new scheme. He won a closely contested poll and was reelected as Chief Minister. On a cloudy day on September 2, he set out to launch Ratha Banda,’’ a mass contact programme in Kurnool district and minutes after he left airport in Begumpet, the Bell 430 helicopter crashed into the Nallamalla hills in Kurnool district. Four others, including his special secretary P. Subramaniyam and chief security officer John Wesley were killed and the state was never the same after.
The death of YSR and the developments in the aftermath saw his son, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy enter the fractured political land scape of the state. Mr. Jagan Mohan Reddy, who announced in an emotional tone in September 2009, that he would undertake a “Oodarpu Yatra,’’ to console every family which lost their bread winner who died heart broken after his father’s death kept to his word.
In the first elections held after bifurcation, the YSRCP bagged 67 seats losing narrowly to TDP, but Mr. Jagan Mohan Reddy kept on mounting pressure by launching a series of agitations, including a fast unto death agitation demanding Special Category Status.
In November 2017, Mr. Jagan Mohan Reddy set out a long and gruelling pada yatra from Kapapa and travelled on foot for 3,645 km, ending his pada yatra in January 2019. In the elections held in April 2019, the YSRCP swept to power by winning 151 seats and forming the government.
Samuel Jonathan
