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Yeduguri Sandinti Rajasekhara Reddy (1949–2009), fondly remembered as YSR, was more than just a politician, he was a visionary who transformed Andhra Pradesh with people-centric governance. A doctor by training, a mass leader by instinct, and a reformer by action, YSR’s life and legacy continue to shape the state’s political and social fabric even today.
A Humble Beginning
Born on 8 July 1949 in Pulivendula, Kadapa district, YSR began his journey as a physician. After completing his MBBS in Gulbarga, Karnataka, he worked as a medical officer and later founded a 70-bed hospital in his hometown. His early medical service reflected his deep compassion for the underprivileged, a quality that later became the cornerstone of his political career.
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Political Rise
YSR entered politics in 1978, contesting from Pulivendula on a Congress ticket. Over the next three decades, he built an unshakable political base, winning every election he contested, a rare feat in Indian politics. He served both as a four-time Lok Sabha MP and a six-time MLA, holding important ministerial positions before emerging as the tallest leader of Andhra Pradesh Congress. His 2003 Padayatra, a 1,500 km walk across the state, cemented his reputation as a leader who not only spoke for the poor but also walked alongside them.
Chief Ministership: Governance with Compassion
YSR became the 14th Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh in 2004 and served until his tragic death in 2009. His governance model was built on welfare, inclusivity, and empowerment.
Landmark Schemes Introduced by YSR
Rajiv Aarogyasri: free health insurance for the poor
108 Emergency Ambulance Service: life-saving access across villages
Jala Yagnam: massive irrigation project transforming agriculture
Fee Reimbursement: ensuring higher education for all students
Indiramma Housing Scheme: shelter for the underprivileged
Pavala Vaddi: loans at 25 paisa interest to women’s self-help groups
Free Power to Farmers: empowering agriculture and rural livelihoods
These welfare-driven policies earned him the title of “Leader of the Masses”. His ability to combine development with social justice helped Congress return to power in 2009, making him the first Congress CM in 40 years to secure back-to-back terms.
The Tragic End
On 2 September 2009, YSR’s helicopter crashed in the Nallamala forests, cutting short the life of a leader in his prime. His death plunged Andhra Pradesh into mourning, with lakhs of people grieving as if they had lost a family member. Such was his bond with the common man that many supporters reportedly died of shock or committed suicide upon hearing the news.
The Legacy of YSR
YSR’s legacy is not just about the schemes he launched, it is about the political culture and vision he left behind.
Empowerment of the Poor: He redefined welfare governance by making healthcare, education, and housing accessible to all.
Agricultural Transformation: Through irrigation projects and farmer support, he revived rural economies.
Healthcare Revolution: The Aarogya sri Scheme remains a benchmark for health initiatives in India.
Political Inheritance: His son, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, founded the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) in 2011, carrying forward his welfare agenda and becoming CM in 2019.
Enduring Popularity: Statues, institutions, and public places named after YSR across Andhra Pradesh reflect the deep love people still hold for him.
YSR Jayanti (Farmer’s Day): Since 2020, July 8 has been celebrated as Farmer’s Day in Andhra Pradesh in his honor.
Legacy and Honors
In 2010, Kadapa district was renamed as YSR District.
The ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam was renamed Dr. Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Stadium.
His life was depicted in the films Yatra (2019) and Yatra 2 (2024).
From 2020, YSR Jayanti (July 8) has been observed as Farmer’s Day in Andhra Pradesh.
YSR’s Notable Works for Hyderabad:
- Outer Ring Road (ORR): YSR played a key role in launching the ambitious Hyderabad Outer Ring Road project, designed to decongest city traffic and connect IT hubs, industrial corridors, and the airport. The project later became the backbone of Hyderabad’s growth.
- International Airport (RGIA): Although conceptualized earlier, it was under YSR’s leadership that Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (Shamshabad)was completed and inaugurated in 2008. This world-class airport put Hyderabad on the global aviation map.
- Metro Rail Project: YSR initiated groundwork for the Hyderabad Metro Rail project, approving plans and setting the stage for one of India’s largest metro networks.
- Hi-Tech City Expansion: During YSR’s regime, Cyberabad and HITEC City saw major expansions. He encouraged IT investments, promoted Fab City (semiconductor manufacturing hub), and positioned Hyderabad as a competitor to Bengaluru in the IT space.
- Aarogyasri in Hyderabad: The Aarogyasri Health Scheme, which gave free medical treatment to the poor in private super-specialty hospitals, was a game-changer for Hyderabad’s urban poor. Leading hospitals in the city became partners in this program, giving thousands of families access to life-saving treatments.
- Sports & Infrastructure: YSR’s government supported upgrading the Gachibowli Sports Complex and other facilities, hosting international-level sports events and training camps in Hyderabad.
- Affordable Housing (Indiramma Scheme): Large-scale Indiramma Housing colonies were built around Hyderabad for the poor, improving urban living standards.
- Education & Research: He encouraged the establishment of new universities and research institutions in and around Hyderabad, boosting the city’s academic ecosystem.
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Legacy in Hyderabad: While YSR was deeply connected with rural welfare and farmers, he also ensured Hyderabad emerged as a global city, balancing development with welfare. The airport, ORR, and IT sector push remain his visible contributions to the city’s modern identity.
Election History
In his entire political history, YSR never lost a single election he contested.
| Year | Position | Constituency | Opponent | Result | Majority |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | MLA (INC) | Pulivendula | Devireddy Narayan Reddy (JP) | 47,874 – 27,378 | +20,496 |
| 1983 | MLA (INC) | Pulivendula | Yeddula Bali Reddy (IND) | 47,256 – 33,889 | +13,367 |
| 1985 | MLA (INC) | Pulivendula | Devi Reddy Sadasiva Reddy (TDP) | 61,048 – 30,206 | +30,842 |
| 1989 | MP (INC) | Kadapa | M. V. Ramana Reddy (TDP) | 4,80,524 – 3,13,772 | +1,66,752 |
| 1991 | MP (INC) | Kadapa | Chennamsetty Ramachandraiah (TDP) | 5,83,953 – 1,65,028 | +4,18,925 |
| 1996 | MP (INC) | Kadapa | Kandula Raja Mohan Reddy (TDP) | 3,68,611 – 3,63,166 | +5,445 |
| 1998 | MP (INC) | Kadapa | Kandula Raja Mohan Reddy (TDP) | 3,74,762 – 3,20,881 | +53,881 |
| 1999 | MLA (INC) | Pulivendula | Singa Reddy Satish Kumar Reddy (TDP) | 62,019 – 32,010 | +30,009 |
| 2004 | MLA (INC) | Pulivendula | Singa Reddy Satish Kumar Reddy (TDP) | 74,432 – 33,655 | +40,777 |
| 2009 | MLA (INC) | Pulivendula | Singa Reddy Satish Kumar Reddy (TDP) | 1,03,556 – 34,875 | +68,681 |
YS Jagan is not just YSR’s son, but the legacy carrier of his ideologies.
Though YSR’s life ended tragically, his vision for an inclusive and welfare-driven Andhra Pradesh continues through policies inspired by him. To millions of people, he is not just a former Chief Minister but a symbol of hope, compassion, and empowerment.
As his son Jagan often says, “YSR lives on in the hearts of the people.”