YSR - a man of the masses

KNOW YOUR LEADER

Dr Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, popularly know as YSR, the leader of the opposition in the dissolved Assembly is known for his determination and forthrightness, and not being worried about the effect that his utterances could have on his political career.

Carving a niche for himself in the Congress party and in state politics as a fighter, YSR had crossed several milestones since his entry into politics. A one time friend of N 1` Naidu, today YSR is one of his fiercest critics.

Shedding the image of a faction leader, an image nurtured by his detractors, today he has emerged as a leader of the masses. His relentless fight against the reforms being implemented by the TD government and the hike in power tariff which culminated in a 14 day hunger strike by the legislators under his leadership in August 2000 has changed public perception. Today YSR is known as a ferocious political personality.

He gained public mindshare when he took a massive padayatra across the state, christened as Praja Prasthanam in the scorching summer last year covering over 1,475 kms on foot, which is a record in the political field.

Born in 1948 in the backward area of Rayalaseema region, Rajasekhar Reddy evinced keen interest right in politics from his student days. While studying to be a doctor in M R Medical College, Gulbarga in Karnataka he served as the president of the students union and was later elected as the leader of the house surgeon's association in S V Medical college in Tirupati.

He served as a medical officer at Jammalamadugu Mission Hospital for a brief period and later in 1977 he established a 70 bed charitable hospital at Pulivendula, his constituency, in the name of his father Y S Raja Reddy.

Joining active politics in 1978, YSR has contested election to the state legislative assembly four times and has also contested four Lok Sabha elections. He has won all the elections he contested.

During his 25 year political career YSR has served the party and the government in various capacities. He was two times president of the Pradesh Congress Committee of the state. Between 1980 to 1983 he served as minister in the Congress led state ministry and held important portfolios like rural development, medical and health and education.

He was the leader of the opposition in the 11th Assembly until its dissolution on 14th November, 2003. He is widely seen as the champion of the farmers causes, which reflects in his persistent demand for free power to agriculture.

He is also seen as a prospective chief minster candidate if the Congress comes to power in the coming elections. YSR has a son and a daughter, both of whom are management graduates and are running their own business enterprises.