Political Diary

Left parties condoled Dr Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy's death, calling him the "popular" Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh."It is most tragic and unfortunate. The victory he had achieved in the recent elections had established his popularity in Andhra Pradesh," CPI-M Politburo member, Mr Sitaram Yechury said here.Conveying his "deepest" condolence to the late CM's wife and family members, Mr Yechury said: "At a time when he could influence the national politics, he unfortunately passed away."Expressing shock, the CPI said, Dr Reddy was “the popular” chief minister who was known for several welfare measures in the state. "His demise is a big loss not only to Andhra, but to the entire country," the party said in a statement. Terming Dr Reddy as the son of the soil, BJP president, Mr Rajnath Singh, said his demise has left a big void in the country. "Reddy was the son of the soil and had special concern for the welfare of poor and other weaker sections of the society. He was a leader who believed in serving the people through development and good governance," Mr Singh told reporters here.He said as a mark of respect for the late leader, BJP's flag would fly at half mast at the party headquarters. Party leaders said this is perhaps for the first time that party's flag will fly at half mast following the demise of a leader of the Opposition party.Mr Singh said, "The Andhra Chief Minister's demise has left a big void in the country and it is an irreparable loss especially for the people of Andhra Pradesh. Senior BJP leader, Mr M Venkaiah Naidu said, “The state and the people have lost a promising dynamic leader with the death of Rajasekhar Reddy."Mr Naidu added, "We have been hoping that Reddy will come back safely. But it was a big shock and God has been unkind," Naidu said.Senior BJP leader, Mr L.K. Advani, said The country had lost a "popular leader of the masses."“I am deeply saddened to know that the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, has died in a tragic helicopter accident. I condole his untimely and tragic death," Advani said in a message issued here.
In the death of Dr Reddy, popularly known as YSR, "people of Andhra Pradesh and the country at large have lost a very able and popular leader of masses," he added.Mr Advani, the leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha also said that YSR's contribution to the development of the state and particularly the deprived classes of the society was "praiseworthy."