Sound Bytes: Leaders Condole YSR Death
Condolence messages and tributes started to pour in as soon as the news of the discovery of the debris of the ill-fated chopper and the death of the Chief Minister was announced on Thursday.
Condoling the tragic demise, President Pratibha Patil, in a message from Moscow, said Reddy was a “dynamic Chief Minister” who strived for the welfare of the people of Andhra Pradesh.”
Recounting her interactions with the departed leader she said “During our interactions his deep commitment to the development of Andhra Pradesh, its rural areas, the weaker sections of society and the empowerment of women was always evident.”
Vice President Hamid Ansari in his message termed Reddy as a “charismatic mass leader” and said he will be remembered for his personal qualities and modesty and deep empathy for the poor.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh mourned the loss saying Reddy was an “ideal chief minister who was a role model for other states”.
He said the departed leader was a valuable colleague on whom he “depended for support and ideas”.
UPA chairperson and Congress president Sonia Gandhi termed Reddy’s demise as a “huge loss” for Andhra Pradesh and the Congress.”
Before flying to Hyderabad to share a grief she understands too well, Gandhi said that she had told her party colleagues that Reddy’s death is a “huge loss for the party, his colleagues, Andhra Pradesh and the country”.
Expressing shock, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman K Rehman Khan said Reddy was known for his immense calibre and outstanding administrative skills and added that his contribution to Indian politics was “inspiring and commendable.”
Lauding Reddy’s role in the development of rural Andhra Pradesh, the Indian National Overseas Congress (INOC) said he was “indeed a man of the people who knew the pulse of the ordinary folks.”
The INOC president Surinder Malhotra said leader was one of the most “effective” Chief Ministers of the country and termed his contribution to the recent Congress victory in the general elections as “immense”.
He termed Reddy’s death as a loss to India and the Congress party in particular.
Madhya Pradesh Governor Rameshwar Thakur said Reddy was a “grassroots leader’ who dedicated his life to the uplift of the poor and the less fortunate.
Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan prayed for strength to the bereaved family and said the death was huge loss only to Andhra Pradesh, but the entire nation.
