Friend of the poor

September 04, 2009 12:13 am | Updated 12:13 am IST

The death of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy and four others in a helicopter crash in Nallamala is unfortunate. YSR, as he was fondly called, was a leader of the masses.

His welfare schemes for the people and pro-poor policies were remarkable. They are lessons in good governance. Dr. Reddy’s successors should carry forward his programmes to achieve the goals he envisioned.

T. Kailash Ditya,

Hyderabad

The phenomenal success in implementing irrigation projects, improving educational facilities, providing scholarships to the poor from the general category, and many such acts made YSR a legendary Chief Minister. His popular schemes, Arogya Sri and Udyogasri, endeared him to the masses. His jalayagnam project was unparalleled. He came out openly against the demand for a separate Telangana.

B.V. Kumar,

Nellore

YSR will be remembered for his revolutionary welfare schemes for the BPL families — housing under the Indiramma scheme, free treatment in corporate hospitals under the Arogya Sri scheme; supply of rice at Rs.2 a kilo, loans to women at 3 per cent interest, and pension to the elderly. The best way to pay respect to the departed leader is to take his policies forward.

Syed Sultan Mohiddin,

Kadapa

Dr. Reddy was a dynamic politician, able administrator, charismatic mass leader and efficient Chief Minister. He stood for the cause of the downtrodden and farmers. His decision to give free power to millions of poor and his government’s focus on irrigation projects will always be remembered. His death is a huge loss to India, in general, and Andhra Pradesh, in particular.

Md. Shad Jamal,

Bangalore

In the untimely death of Dr. Reddy, the people of Andhra Pradesh have lost a dynamic and bold Chief Minister. He rendered historic service to the medical profession by issuing an ordinance to protect hospitals, doctors and other staff members as there were numerous incidents of physical attack on public hospitals in case of death during treatment. This ordinance was perhaps the first of its kind in the country. Leaders like Dr. Reddy are rare to find.

J.P. Reddy,

Nalgonda

The trust the common man placed in Dr. Reddy was evident from the Congress’ resounding victory in the 2009 Assembly elections. His welfare schemes and women empowerment programmes endeared him to the people. He was among the few Congress Chief Ministers who was allowed by the high command to take independent decisions.

Let us also spare a thought for the families of the other four aboard the fateful Bell chopper. Much praise is due to the security personnel who lost no time in springing to action.

B. Meenu,

Kottayam

Dr. Reddy was a leader who had no feudal airs. He treated everyone as an equal. The villagers of Panjanapalli of Kadapa fondly recalled him as the only leader who helped them. He was the only charismatic leader in Andhra Pradesh after NTR.

V. Douglas Kirpa Raja,

Coimbatore

The former Chief Minister will be remembered as a powerful leader and a dynamic human being. YSR’s blend of populism and geniality made him unbeatable. His irrigation programmes, though only partially effective, did make a mark and his government managed to deliver enough power to agriculturists to keep them from turning against him. And most remarkably, the State was freed from the clutches of Maoists.

Dilbag Rai,

Chandigarh

YSR was an able administrator. He curbed naxalite activity in Andhra Pradesh; he kept dissidence in the State unit of the Congress under control; and it is because of him that Andhra Pradesh has not bifurcated.

S. Raghavendra Rao,

Nellore

Dr. Reddy was an active politician who was emerging as one of the strongest leaders in south India. He will be fondly remembered for his perseverance and politeness.

J. Churchill,

Thiruvarur

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