Around 9 o'clock in the morning of September2,2009 Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, a southern state of India, set out on a helicopter for an important engagement. He ignored the pouring rain and a very bad forecast. Even the usual helicopter was not available and he took another which later proved to be air unworthy--not serviced for last two years. But, his commitment to his people was the priority.
The chopper vanished after about an hour and the Chief Minister with his two topmost officers and two pilots went missing. As the hours passed by without any success in finding the chopper the worst fears were in the minds of every countrymen.
After twenty four hours, today the 3rd September, the missing chopper was spotted on a hilltop and soon after all five persons were confirmed dead. It was a crash caused most probably by bad weather and the doubtful chopper.
Yeduguri Sandinti Rajasekhara Reddy, popularly known as
YSR, was a dashing leader who brought back the Congress into power in his state after ten years in 2004 and bettered it in the last elections. Being the first congress leader to form government for two consecutive term he also contributed significantly to the congress tally in the parliament both in 2004 and 2009 general elections. A Chief Minister by the people, for the people and of the people.
India and the Congress party lost a great leader who had tremendous potential for the future.
We express our heartfelt condolences on the tragic demise of Rajasekhara Reddy and his team of four. We are with the bereaved families in this hour of inconsolable sorrow.
