PM Condoles YSR’s Death; Describes him as ‘Ideal CM’

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has expressed deep grief over the unfortunate death of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Rajasekhar Reddy, saying he was an “ideal chief minister who was a role model for other states”.

In the condolence message sent to the chief minister’s wife Vijayalaxmi, the prime minister said on a personal note that the death of Rajasekhar Reddy, popularly known as YSR, he had lost a valued colleague on whom he “depended for support and ideas”.

Singh described YSR as a “natural leader who was loved equally by the public, his colleagues ad the common man” and said that “it was with a deep sense of grief and personal loss” that he learnt of YSR’s “tragic and untimely demise”.

“The void his passing away has left behind will never be filled,” Manmohan Singh said.

“Rajasekharaji died as he lived – in the service of the people of Andhra Pradesh and the country. In his untimely passing away, the state of Andhra Pradesh has lost an outstanding leader, and the country has lost an ideal chief minister who was a role model for other states,” Manmohan Singh said in a statement issued here.

“I have lost a valued colleague on whom I depended for support and ideas. Rajasekharaji’s life was one of tireless commitment and service to the people, especially the poor and the underprivileged. His legacy will live on and will inspire many others in the times to come,” he said.