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| Shock across political spectrum | | |
New Delhi: Led by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi, political leaders across the spectrum Thursday mourned the death of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, hailing him as a "man of determination, charisma and conviction".
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday described as a personal loss the death of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy and said he was a "role model" and an outstanding leader with a tireless commitment to serve the people.
In his condolence message to Reddy's widow Vijaya Lakshmi, Singh said Reddy worked for the masses, especially the poor and under-privileged, and described him as a "valued colleague on whom I depended for support and ideas". The void would be difficult to fill, he said.
“YSR’s historic padyatra brought Congress back to power in Andhra. His death is a huge loss to the party, to the state and to the country,” Congress President Sonia Gandhi told reporters after a meeting of the Congress Working Committee that included the PM at her residence here. “At 8.20 we got the terrible news…,” she informed the media persons.
Gandhi revealed that prior to the recent elections in Andhra Pradesh, some had expressed concerns during core committee meetings about how the party would fare. “But YSR was firm. He said you trust me. I know the people of Andhra. I and my colleagues have worked tremendously and we will come back. He was right,” she said.
A pall of gloom descended on Congress party offices headquarters where its flags flew at half mast. The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) also flew its flag at half mast at its headquarters here.
"It is a tremendous loss. He was a dynamic chief minister. A towering and successful leader of the state and the Congress party," party spokesperson Jayanthi Natarajan said after the bodies of YSR, as he is popularly known, and four others were found in Kurnool district where their helicopter crashed Wednesday.
"He was very practical. He always wanted to achieve specific goals. He was a man on the move," she added. "I am sure there is much more he could have achieved."
She said party president Sonia Gandhi was in constant touch with YSR's family.
YSR's main political rival, Telugu Desam Party chief Chandrababu Naidu, told reporters in Hyderabad that beyond political differences, he had great friendship with the deceased chief minister. "We were very good friends. He was a man of conviction and charisma. I am shocked," he said.
Veteran BJP leader L.K. Advani said in a message: "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 added: "The people of Andhra Pradesh and the country at large have lost a very able and popular leader of (the) masses."
Condoling Reddy's death, BJP president Rajnath Singh said: "The sudden death of YSR is an irreparable loss. He was the son of the soil and has always worked for the poor. He is known for good governance."
"I am deeply saddened by his sudden death. I extend my heartfelt sympathy to his family."
In a statement, Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) general secretary Prakash Karat said: "The death of Rajasekhara Reddy in a tragic helicopter accident has shocked everyone. His untimely death is a big loss for Andhra Pradesh and the Congress."
Communist Party of India (CPI) leader A.B. Bardhan said Reddy was a "very dynamic national leader. We had our differences......but there is no difference (in opinion) that he was indeed a dynamic person. It's a big tragedy, a very sad end to a brilliant career."
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