Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge on 8 July paid tributes to veteran Congressman and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy on his birth anniversary, honouring his decades of public service and commitment to the state's marginalised communities.

Tributes from Congress Leadership

Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, posted on X, describing YS Rajasekhara Reddy as 'a true statesman' who 'uplifted countless lives through his unwavering commitment to the welfare of the people of Andhra Pradesh.' Gandhi added that 'his service to the people will always be remembered.'

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also offered his respects, calling Reddy 'a visionary and compassionate leader' who 'dedicated his life to the welfare and progress of the people of Andhra Pradesh.' Kharge noted Reddy's 'unbridled commitment to farmers, the poor, and the marginalised, along with his immense dedication to the Congress party,' calling it 'an enduring legacy.'

Early Life and Entry into Politics

Yeduguri Sandinti Rajasekhara Reddy, widely known as YSR, was born on 8 July 1949 in Pulivendula, in the backward Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh. He showed an early interest in politics during his student years, serving as president of the Students' Union at M R Medical College, Gulbarga, Karnataka, and later as elected leader of the House Surgeon's Association at S V Medical College, Tirupati.

After completing his MBBS, Reddy worked as a Medical Officer at the Jammalamadugu Mission Hospital. In 1973, he established a 70-bed charitable hospital at Pulivendula, named after his father. His family also founded a polytechnic and a degree college in Pulivendula, both later handed over to the Loyola group of institutions.

Political Career and Key Milestones

Reddy entered active politics in 1978, contesting four elections each to the state Legislative Assembly and the Lok Sabha — and winning every single one. He served as president of the Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) twice: from 1983 to 1985 and again from 1998 to 2000. He was Leader of Opposition in the 11th state Assembly from 1999 to 2004.

In a defining moment of his political career, YSR led a gruelling 1,400-km Paadayaatra through backward areas of Andhra Pradesh during the mid-summer of 2003, spotlighting the struggles of peasants, weavers, Dalits, youth, and women. The march galvanised public support, and in the 2004 Assembly elections, his party swept the state by winning 185 seats, propelling him to the Chief Minister's office.

Chief Ministership and Controversies

Reddy was sworn in for a second consecutive term as Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh on 20 May 2009, at a ceremony held at Hyderabad's Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium, attended by a crowd of around 20,000 people. His tenure spanned a 25-year political career marked by advocacy for agrarian and social welfare causes.

However, his first term was not without controversy. Opposition parties alleged corruption in his government, and in 2008, Telugu Desam Party leader N Chandrababu Naidu accused Reddy and his family of involvement in the Satyam scandal, allegations that remained politically contested.

Legacy

YSR's legacy continues to shape Andhra Pradesh's political landscape, with his welfare-centric governance model remaining a reference point for successive governments. His birth anniversary is observed each year as a moment of reflection on grassroots politics and social equity in the state.