Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy

Who was Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy?

Yeduguri Sandinti Rajasekhara Reddy, popularly known as YSR, was a two-time Chief Minister of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, serving from 2004 to 2009. He has been viewed by some as the most popular chief minister of Andhra Pradesh. His popularity is often attributed to the welfare schemes and development programs he championed for the people of his state. The BBC, for instance, called him a champion of social welfare schemes.

Reddy was elected to the 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th Lok Sabha from the Kadapa constituency for four terms and to the Andhra Pradesh Assembly for five terms from the Pulivendula constituency. He won every election he contested. In 2003 he undertook a three-month-long paadayaatra, or walking tour of 1475 km during the very hot summer months, across several districts in Andhra Pradesh as a part of his election campaign. He led his party to victory in the following general and assembly elections held in 2004, and did the same in 2009. He is the only chief minister of the state to have served again after a full term.

On 2 September 2009, a helicopter carrying Reddy went missing in the Nallamala forest area. The next morning media reported that the helicopter wreckage had been found on top of Rudrakonda Hill, 40 nautical miles from Kurnool. This was later confirmed by the Prime Minister's office. The five people aboard were pronounced dead at the scene of the crash.