Editing Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy

{{Short description|14th chief minister of Andhra Pradesh}}


{{Use Indian English|date=December 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2019}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name           = Dr. Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy
| image          = YS_Rajasekhara_Reddy_2010_stamp_of_India.jpg
| caption        = Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy commemorative stamp
| office         = 14th [[List of Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh|Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh]]
| term_start     = 14 May 2004
| term_end       = 2 September 2009
| governor       = {{ubl|[[Surjit Singh Barnala]]|[[Sushilkumar Shinde]]|[[Rameshwar Thakur]]|[[N. D. Tiwari]]}}
| predecessor    = [[N. Chandrababu Naidu]]
| successor      = [[Konijeti Rosaiah]]
| constituency   = [[Pulivendla (Assembly constituency)|Pulivendla]]
| office1        = [[Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha]]
| term_start1    = 2 December 1989
| term_end1      = 26 April 1999
| primeminister1 = {{ubl|[[Vishwanath Pratap Singh]]|[[Chandra Shekhar]]|[[P. V. Narasimha Rao]]|[[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]]|[[H. D. Deve Gowda]]|[[Inder Kumar Gujral]]|[[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]]}}
| predecessor1   = D. N. Reddy
| successor1     = [[Y. S. Vivekananda Reddy]]
| constituency1  = [[Kadapa (Lok Sabha constituency)|Kadapa]]
| office2        = [[Leader of the Opposition]] in [[Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly]]
| term_start2    = 11 October 1999
| term_end2      = 13 May 2004
| 1blankname2    = Chief Minister
| 1namedata2     = [[N. Chandrababu Naidu]]
| predecessor2   = [[P. Janardhan Reddy]]
| successor2     = [[N. Chandrababu Naidu]]
| constituency2  = [[Pulivendla (Assembly constituency)|Pulivendla]]
| office3        = Member of [[Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly]]
| term_start3    = 11 October 1999
| term_end3      = 2 September 2009
| 1blankname3    = Chief Minister
| 1namedata3     = {{ubl|[[N. Chandrababu Naidu]]|''Himself''}}
| predecessor3   = [[Y. S. Vivekananda Reddy]]
| successor3     = [[Y. S. Vijayamma]]
| constituency3  = [[Pulivendla (Assembly constituency)|Pulivendla]]
| term_start4    = 5 March 1978
| term_end4      = 28 November 1989
| 1blankname4    = Chief Minister
| 1namedata4     = {{ubl|[[Marri Chenna Reddy]]|[[Tanguturi Anjaiah]]|[[Bhavanam Venkatarami Reddy]]|[[Kotla Vijaya Bhaskara Reddy]]|[[N. T. Rama Rao]]|[[N. Bhaskara Rao]]|[[N. T. Rama Rao]]}}
| predecessor4   = Penchikala Basi Reddy
| successor4     = [[Y. S. Vivekananda Reddy]]
| constituency4  = [[Pulivendla (Assembly constituency)|Pulivendla]]
| birth_name     = Yeduguri Sandinti Rajasekhara Reddy
| birth_date     = {{birth date|1949|7|8|df=y}}
| birth_place    = [[Pulivendula]], [[Madras State]], India<br />{{smaller|(present-day [[Andhra Pradesh]])}}
| death_date     = {{death date and age|2009|9|2|1949|7|8|df=y}}
| death_place    = [[Nallamala Hills]], [[Andhra Pradesh]], [[India]]
| death_cause    = [[2009 Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister helicopter crash|Helicopter crash]]
| resting_place  = YSR Ghat
| party          = [[Indian National Congress]]
| spouse         = {{marriage|[[Y.S. Vijayalakshmi]]|1971}}
| children       = [[Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy]] (son)<br />[[Y. S. Sharmila]] (daughter)
| father         = [[Y. S. Raja Reddy]]
| relatives      = [[Y. S. Vivekananda Reddy]] (brother)<br />[[Y. S. Avinash Reddy]] (nephew)
| education      = [[Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery|MBBS]]
| alma_mater     = [[Mahadevappa Rampure Medical College]]
| profession     = {{hlist|[[Physician]]|[[Politician]]}}
}}

'''Yeduguri Sandinti Rajasekhara Reddy''' (8 July 1949 – 2 September 2009),<ref>{{Cite journal|last=SRINIVASULU|first=K|date=2009|title=Y S Rajasekhara Reddy: A Political Appraisal|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/25663561|journal=Economic and Political Weekly|volume=44|issue=38|pages=8–10|jstor=25663561|issn=0012-9976}}</ref> popularly known as '''YSR''', was the [[List of chief ministers of Andhra Pradesh|14th chief minister]] of the [[India]]n state of [[Andhra Pradesh]], serving from 2004 to 2009.

Reddy was elected to the [[9th Lok Sabha|9th]], [[10th Lok Sabha|10th]], [[11th Lok Sabha|11th]], and [[12th Lok Sabha]] from the [[Kadapa (Lok Sabha constituency)|Kadapa constituency]] for four terms and to the Andhra Pradesh Assembly for five terms from the [[Pulivendla (Assembly constituency)|Pulivendula constituency]]. He won every election he contested.<ref name="hindu.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/2009/04/21/stories/2009042160161400.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090424104837/http://www.hindu.com/2009/04/21/stories/2009042160161400.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=24 April 2009 |title=YSR's pocket borough, 21 April 2009. ''The Hindu'' |location=India |date=21 April 2009 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=23 May 2011}}</ref> In 2003 he undertook a three-month-long [[padayatra]], or walking tour, of {{convert|1475|km}} during the very hot summer months, across several districts in Andhra Pradesh as a part of his election campaign.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/2003/06/18/stories/2003061805390400.htm |title="Admirers mob 'pilgrim YSR' " ''The Hindu'' |publisher=Hinduonnet.com |date=18 June 2003 |access-date=23 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100809160242/http://www.hinduonnet.com/2003/06/18/stories/2003061805390400.htm |archive-date=9 August 2010 |url-status=usurped |df=dmy-all }}</ref> He led his party to victory in the following general and assembly elections held in 2004, and did the same in 2009.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/national/tragedies-dog-the-yeduguri-sandinti-family/article26568205.ece|title=Tragedies in Yeduguri Sandinti Family|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=2019-03-21|access-date=2019-12-18}}</ref>

On 2 September 2009, a helicopter carrying Reddy went missing in the [[Nallamala Forest]] area.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.timesofindia.com/india/Death-came-without-warning-for-YSR/articleshow/5187509.cms|title=Death came without warning for, YSR|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=2009-11-02|access-date=2019-12-18}}</ref> The next morning media reported that the helicopter wreckage had been found on top of Rudrakonda Hill, {{convert|40|km|abbr=on}} from [[Kurnool]]. The five people aboard were pronounced dead at the scene of the crash.<ref name="yahoo_news_dead">{{cite web|url=http://in.news.yahoo.com/242/20090903/1334/tnl-search-for-andhra-cm-resumes-fears-o.html|title=Andhra CM YS Rajasekhara Reddy dies|date=2 September 2009|publisher=[[Press Trust of India]]|access-date=2 September 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090908090055/http://in.news.yahoo.com/242/20090903/1334/tnl-search-for-andhra-cm-resumes-fears-o.html|archive-date=8 September 2009}}</ref><ref name="ht_2aug09">{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/6-hours-on-Andhra-CM-s-whereabouts-still-not-known/H1-Article1-449482.aspx|title=Mystery over Andhra CM's whereabouts after chopper lands|date=2 September 2009|work=The Hindustan Times|location=India|access-date=2 September 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090904204030/http://www.hindustantimes.com/6-hours-on-Andhra-CM-s-whereabouts-still-not-known/H1-Article1-449482.aspx|archive-date=4 September 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/andhra-chief-minister-reported-to-be-missing/100471-37.html?from=twitter |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090905062821/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/andhra-chief-minister-reported-to-be-missing/100471-37.html?from=twitter |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 September 2009 |title=Army, IAF search for missing Andhra CM as confusion reigns |publisher=Ibnlive.in.com |access-date=23 May 2011}}</ref> Over a hundred people were reported to have committed suicide on hearing the news of his death.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/over-100-die-after-ysr-s-death-son-appeals-for-calm/story-45a9sIfQwFZ0t7vjFXYAiN.html|title=Over 100 die after YSR's death, son appeals for calm|date=4 September 2009|access-date=23 September 2016}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Being born into a Christian<ref name="YSCKR"/> [[Reddy]] middle class family on 8 July 1949 as eldest of five sons for [[Y. S. Raja Reddy]]<ref name="YSCKR">Prasada Reddy, T. Sivarama, ''An Autobiography of Y. S. Chinna Konda Reddy'', published by Y. S. Prakash Reddy, Kadapa, 2010.[https://www.uecf.net/books/konda_reddy_english.pdf]</ref> at [[Pulivendula]], he completed his [[Medicine|medical studies]] in Mahadevappa Rampure Medical College, [[Gulbarga]], [[Karnataka]] and served as [[Physician|medical officer]] at [[Church of South India|CSI]]-Campbell Mission Hospital, [[Jammalamadugu]], [[Kadapa district]], [[Andhra Pradesh]] after completing his studies. In 1973, he established a 70-bed [[charitable hospital]] before entering politics.<ref name="doctor">{{cite news|title=YSR: A doctor with a finger on the public pulse|url=http://archive.mid-day.com/news/2009/sep/030909-ysr-obituary.htm|access-date=25 October 2016|work=[[Mid-Day]]|publisher=[[Indo-Asian News Service|IANS]]|date=3 September 2009|location=[[Hyderabad]]}}</ref>

Reddy was married to [[Y. S. Vijayamma|Vijaya Lakshmi]].<ref>{{cite news |title= More cheap rice, free power |url= http://www.indianexpress.com/news/More-cheap-rice--free-power/463064 |work=The Indian Express    |location=India |date= 21 May 2009 |access-date=12 June 2009}}</ref> They had one son, politician [[Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy|Y. S. Jagan Mohan]], and one daughter, [[Y. S. Sharmila]].<ref name = "Bethlehem">{{cite news |title= YSR leaves for pilgrimage to Israel |url= http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/004200905271081.htm |work=The Hindu  |date= 27 May 2009 |access-date=3 June 2009 |location=Chennai, India}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title= 'Shooting' for posterity |url= http://www.hindu.com/2004/08/16/stories/2004081605620400.htm |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20040829233502/http://www.hindu.com/2004/08/16/stories/2004081605620400.htm |url-status= dead |archive-date= 29 August 2004 |date= 16 August 2004 |access-date=3 June 2009 |work= [[The Hindu]] |location=Chennai, India}}</ref> Reddy's younger brother [[Y. S. Vivekananda Reddy|Y. S. Vivekananda]] is also a Congress politician.

Reddy's parents were devout Christians,<ref name="YSCKR"/><ref>{{cite web|last=Sai|first=J S|date=7 September 1999|title=In Cuddapah, YSR is king|url=http://www.rediff.com/election/1999/sep/07ysr.htm|access-date=10 September 2009|publisher=Rediff}}</ref> as was Reddy, who was buried according to Christian rites.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.merinews.com/article/ysr-buried-with-full-state-honour-in-idupulapai/15783520.shtml | title=YSR buried with full state honour in Idupulapai}}</ref> Reddy visited [[Bethlehem]] and other historically important Christian places in Israel twice. He also visited the Hindu temple of [[Venkateswara Temple, Tirumala|Tirupati]] regularly.<ref name = "Bethlehem"/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-09-04/india/28067576_1_ysr-tirupati-tirumala-mahadwaram|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106104356/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-09-04/india/28067576_1_ysr-tirupati-tirumala-mahadwaram|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 November 2012|title=A Christian, YSR a regular at Tirumala|last=P Neelima|date=4 September 2009|work=[[The Times of India]]  |location=India|access-date=5 September 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.livemint.com/2009/09/03230252/YS-Rajasekhara-Reddy--A-tiger.html?h=B|title=YS Rajasekhara Reddy : A tiger who will roar no more|last=Venkatesha Babu|work=Mint Lounge|location=India|publisher=[[HT Media]]|access-date=5 September 2009}}</ref>

=== Family tree ===
{{Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy family}}

==Early political career==
Reddy entered active politics in 1978 and won the [[Pulivendla (Assembly constituency)|Pulivendula constituency]] same year and became Minister of State for Rural Development (1980–82), and later shifted to Excise Minister (1982) and Education Minister (1982–83). He continued to retain the same constituency in [[1983 Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly election|1983]] and [[1985 Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly election|1985]], even when [[N. T. Rama Rao|Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao]] swept to power and the party fared badly in the latter, which saw [[Indira Gandhi]] making him State president of the party. He even continued the winning streak for [[Kadapa (Lok Sabha constituency)|Kadapa constituency]] for four terms in [[9th Lok Sabha|9th]], [[10th Lok Sabha|10th]], [[11th Lok Sabha|11th]], and [[12th Lok Sabha]]. His return to state politics saw him winning [[1999 Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly election|1999 Assembly elections]] from same [[Pulivendla (Assembly constituency)|Pulivendula constituency]] during which he served as  Leader of Opposition in [[Andhra Pradesh State Assembly]] (1999–2004), but his subsequent winning in [[2004 Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly election|2004 Assembly elections]] saw him sworn in as 14th [[Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh]] serving full-term. He won [[2009 Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly election|2009 Assembly elections]] and continued his tenure as 15th [[Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh]], which was abruptly cut short by [[2009 Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister helicopter crash|his death]] on 2 September 2009.<ref name="doctor"/>

== Chief Ministership ==
{{More citations needed section|date=March 2021}}{{Cleanup section|reason=The section is written as bulleted points instead of a prose.|date=March 2021}}

=== First term ===
{{see also|2004 Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly election}}
During his tenure as Chief Minister, the government of Andhra Pradesh undertook the following projects:
* On the first day of his tenure in 2004, he provided [[free electricity for farmers]], a campaign project.
* A [[health insurance]] program for rural people living below the poverty line (white card holders), known as Rajiv Arogya Shree, was instituted to pay the entire cost of any necessary surgery up to a maximum of {{INRConvert|200|k}}.<ref>
{{cite web | title = YSR wants Arogyasree, 108 and 104 under one umbrella | url = http://expressbuzz.com/States/andhrapradesh/ysr-wants-arogyasree-108-and-104-under-one-umbrella/69101.html }}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
* A free public ambulance service was originally started by [[Mahindra Satyam|Satyam]] and then adopted by Andhra Pradesh.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.hindu.com/2009/09/06/stories/2009090653900400.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090908082713/http://www.hindu.com/2009/09/06/stories/2009090653900400.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=8 September 2009 | location=Chennai, India | work=[[The Hindu]] | title=108 service was YSR's brainchild | date=6 September 2009}}</ref>
* The Pavala Vaddi program provided loans at 3% interest to encourage small businesses and entrepreneurship by rural women.
* Indiramma illu was a program started to construct heavily subsidised housing for the rural poor.
* A rice scheme provided a kilogram of rice for two rupees to reduce hunger.<ref>{{cite news |first=K.V.V.V. |last= Charya |title= Rs 2/kg rice to add Rs 3,000cr burden on Andhra coffers|url= http://www.financialexpress.com/news/rs-2-kg-rice-to-add-rs-3-000cr-burden-on-andhra-coffers/248572/ |work=The Financial Express  |date= 10 December 2007 |access-date=28 May 2009}}</ref>  The minimum support price for rice was also raised.
* Full reimbursement of college tuition for the underprivileged and reservations for minorities were instituted.
* The main emphasis during Reddy's tenure was on social welfare, with a majority of his projects targeted at reducing [[rural poverty]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/TOPICS/EXTARD/EXTRURLIV/0,,contentMDK:22027188~pagePK:64168445~piPK:64168309~theSitePK:5097010,00.html#ComProf |title=Rural livelihoods – Andhra Pradesh Rural Poverty Reduction |publisher=Web.worldbank.org |access-date=23 May 2011}}</ref> Apart from these schemes, his government was a role model in implementing the central government's flagship program [[NREGA]].<ref>{{cite news | title = NREGA: Andhra Pradesh shows the way | url=http://www.hindu.com/2008/09/08/stories/2008090856271000.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080911011228/http://www.hindu.com/2008/09/08/stories/2008090856271000.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=11 September 2008 | location=Chennai, India | work = [[The Hindu]] | date=8 September 2008}}</ref>
* His tenure also saw the significant weakening of the violent extremist left-wing [[Naxalite]] movement that was rampant in the state when he assumed office in 2004.<ref name="doctor"/>

He commenced the [[Jala Yagnam]] project to irrigate {{convert|10000000|acre|ha|order=flip}} of land through the construction of major, medium and minor irrigation projects.<ref>{{cite web |author=Ram Goginei |url=http://jalayagnam.org/index1.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071108205434/http://jalayagnam.org/index1.php |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 November 2007 |title=Jalayagnam in Andhra Pradesh, India |publisher=Jalayagnam.org |access-date=23 May 2011 }}</ref> It helped Andhra Pradesh make significant progress in sustainable agriculture by making wastelands cultivatable.

=== Second term ===
{{See also|2009 Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly election}}

Reddy's major [[Political slogan|campaign slogan]] for the 2009 election was "Development and Credibility". He sought a mandate based on past performance, making no new election promises but vowing to continue and extend ongoing schemes.<ref>{{Cite news|others=PTI|date=2009-09-03|title=YSR: From aggressive politician to mass leader|language=en-IN|work=[[The Hindu]]|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/YSR-From-aggressive-politician-to-mass-leader/article16878912.ece|url-status=live|access-date=2020-11-19|archive-url=https://www.thehindu.com/incoming/Y.S.-Rajasekhara-Reddy-1949-2009/article16878786.ece|archive-date=2011-01-23|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> The opposition parties formed a 'Grand Alliance' (''mahakootami'') made up of all the major opposition parties including, [[Telugu Desam Party]] (TDP),  [[Telangana Rashtra Samithi]] (TRS) and the communist parties. The TDP promised numerous inducements including free color televisions and a unique cash transfer scheme (CTS). There was also a new party, [[Praja Rajyam Party]] (PRP), floated by a popular film star [[Chiranjeevi]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=YSR-Chief Minister Of AndhraPradesh-English news paper articels [sic&#93; – Page 2|url=https://ysrexclusive.wordpress.com/category/ysr-chief-minister-of-andhrapradesh-english-news-paper-articels/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://ysrexclusive.wordpress.com/category/ysr-political-news-english/page/2/|archive-date=2013-09-08|access-date=2020-11-19|website=Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh|language=en}}</ref>

The Congress Party under the leadership of Reddy won the contest and came to power for a second time, winning 156 seats in the assembly (148 would be a simple majority). Reddy's party also won 33 seats in parliament out of a total of 42 seats. This feat was seen as a significant victory for Reddy, since he was able to earn a second consecutive term against the odds of anti-incumbency.<ref>{{cite web |title= YSR's performance, credibility behind Congress magic in Andhra |url= http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?a=jfrrzrbabjh&title=YSR_s_performance_credibility_behind_Congress_magic_in_Andhra&tag=Ysr|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141209021520/http://www.sify.com/news/fullstory.php?a=jfrrzrbabjh&title=YSR_s_performance_credibility_behind_Congress_magic_in_Andhra&tag=Ysr|url-status= dead|archive-date= 2014-12-09|work= Sify.com }}</ref> He became the Congress party's first incumbent chief minister since 1969 to win based on his performance.<ref>{{cite web |title= The tragedy and the trend |url= http://www.indianexpress.com/news/the-tragedy-and-the-trend/513157/3 |date= 5 September 2009 |work=The Indian Express |location=India |access-date=10 September 2009}}</ref>

Reddy was sworn in as the Chief Minister for the term of 2009–2014 on 20 May 2009. The ceremony was held in [[Hyderabad, Telangana|Hyderabad's]] [[Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium]] and was attended by a crowd of about 20,000 people.<ref>{{cite web | title= YSR Reddy sworn-in as Andhra Pradesh CM | url= http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?sectionName=HomePage&id=4872e4d1-4b57-4793-acc9-1dd228fa3a13&Headline=YSR+Reddy+sworn-in+as+Andhra+Pradesh+CM | archive-url= https://archive.today/20090910034602/http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?sectionName=HomePage&id=4872e4d1-4b57-4793-acc9-1dd228fa3a13&Headline=YSR+Reddy+sworn-in+as+Andhra+Pradesh+CM | url-status= dead | archive-date= 10 September 2009 | date= 20 May 2009 | work= Hindustan Times | location= India | publisher= Press Trust of India | access-date= 21 May 2009 }}</ref>

==Criticism==
Reddy was accused of amassing large amounts of money during his tenure as the Chief Minister.<ref name="firstpost">{{cite web|url=http://www.firstpost.com/politics/ysr-reddys-sheer-size-of-corruption-shocked-us-diplomats-85356.html|title=YSR's 'sheer size' of corruption shocked US diplomats|publisher=First Post|access-date=11 May 2014}}</ref> He is said to have used populist schemes like irrigation projects and housing schemes to his advantage and earn huge profits through them.<ref name="firstpost" /><ref name="ndtv">{{cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/wikileaks-revelations/graft-during-ysr-rule-was-above-norm-in-india-wikileaks-133754|title=Graft during YSR rule was above norm in India: WikiLeaks|publisher=NDTV|access-date=11 May 2014}}</ref> In a leaked United States diplomatic cable, the American Consul General quotes that there was "widespread corruption that was beyond the pale even for India".<ref name="ndtv" /><ref name="indiatoday">{{cite web|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/ysr-reddy-government-was-engaged-in-corruption-wikileaks/1/151014.html|title=YSR Reddy's government was engaged in corruption: WikiLeaks|publisher=India Today|access-date=11 May 2014}}</ref>

The surrender of more than {{convert|1600|acre|order=flip}} of personal land by Reddy to the government to be compliant with the law in December 2006 was criticised by opposition parties. The opposition parties demanded his resignation for owning the land in violation of the law.<ref>{{cite news |title= I've 1,000 acres more, says CM |url= http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2006-12-19/hyderabad/27785352_1_acres-temple-land-patta-land |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121106104406/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2006-12-19/hyderabad/27785352_1_acres-temple-land-patta-land |url-status= dead |archive-date= 6 November 2012 |work=[[The Times of India]] |location=India |date= 19 December 2006 |access-date=26 May 2009}}</ref> [[N. Chandrababu Naidu]] also called for Reddy's resignation after a 2007 [[Khammam]] police shooting resulted in eight deaths.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Khammam police firing unfortunate, says Andhra CM|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/newswire/story/khammam-police-firing-unfortunate-says-andhra-cm/491832|url-status=live|archive-url=https://www.outlookindia.com/newswire/story/khammam-firing-cpm-demands-ysrs-resignation/491948|archive-date=2009-10-30|access-date=2020-11-19|website=www.outlookindia.com}}</ref> Despite criticism, he won general and assembly elections and sworn in as Chief Minister again in 2009.

A federal probe of the [[Central Bureau of Investigation]] (CBI) was also launched to investigate disproportionate assets acquired by his son, [[Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy]], in return for favours his father made to the industrialists. In May 2012, the CBI arrested [[Mopidevi Venkataramana]], the then Infrastructure Minister in Reddy's cabinet, who was responsible for unduly assigning the land to a private organisation called VANPIC. This incident called the credibility of Reddy's entire cabinet into question.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=smilDAEACAAJ|title="Raja" of Corruption: Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh|date=2009|pages=56–92|language=en}}</ref>

==Disappearance and death==
{{Main|2009 Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister helicopter crash}}
[[File:The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh paying homage at the mortal remains of the former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, late Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh on September 04, 2009.jpg|thumb|Prime Minister [[Manmohan Singh]] paying homage at the mortal remains of Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy]]

Reddy's [[Bell 430]] [[helicopter]] went missing on Wednesday, 2 September 2009 at 9:35 am. [[Begumpet Airport|Begumpet]] and [[Rajiv Gandhi International Airport|Shamshabad]] [[air traffic control]]lers lost contact with the aircraft at 10:02 am while it was passing through the dense [[Nallamala Hills|Nallamala]] forest area.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/Andhra-Pradesh-Chief-Minister-YS-Rajasekhara-Reddy-Missing/H1-Article1-449644.aspx |title=Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy Missing |work=Hindustan Times |location=India |date=2 September 2009 |access-date=23 May 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629213400/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Andhra-Pradesh-Chief-Minister-YS-Rajasekhara-Reddy-Missing/H1-Article1-449644.aspx |archive-date=29 June 2011  }}</ref> The [[Chief secretary (India)|Chief Secretary]] of Andhra Pradesh, P. Ramakanth Reddy, said that inclement weather had forced the helicopter off course.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/Politics/Nation/Bad-weather-forced-YSR-chopper-off-course/articleshow/4969820.cms |title=Bad weather forced YSR chopper off course |publisher=Economictimes.indiatimes.com |date=4 September 2009 |access-date=23 May 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/2009/09/04/stories/2009090460961300.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090905062519/http://www.hindu.com/2009/09/04/stories/2009090460961300.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 September 2009 |title=Bell-430 deviated from flight path in bad weather |location=India |date=4 September 2009 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=23 May 2011}}</ref> Although the sparsely populated forest area is considered to be a stronghold of the outlawed [[Naxalite|Naxal]] communist insurgents, the [[National Security Advisor (India)|National Security Advisor]] of India ruled out the possibility of the Naxals bringing down the helicopter.<ref>{{cite web |title= NSA rules out Naxal strike on YSR Reddy's chopper |url= http://www.ptinews.com/news/262051_NSA-rules-out-Naxal-strike-on-YSR-Reddy-s-chopper |date= 2 September 2009|publisher= Press Trust of India |access-date=10 September 2009}}</ref>

The Indian [[Prime Minister's Office (India)|Prime Minister's Office]] confirmed the helicopter's crash on the morning of 3 September, Thursday, and the death of all aboard, namely Reddy, his Special Secretary P. Subrahmanyam, Chief Security Officer A. S. C. Wesley, Group Captain S. K. Bhatia and Captain M. S. Reddy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/News/hyderabad/Andhra-Pradesh-plunges-into-gloom/Article1-449770.aspx|title=Andhra Pradesh plunges into gloom|date=3 September 2009|work=The Hindustan Times|location=India|access-date=3 September 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090906084640/http://www.hindustantimes.com/News/hyderabad/Andhra-Pradesh-plunges-into-gloom/Article1-449770.aspx|archive-date=6 September 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-09-03/india/28065464_1_ysr-reddy-helicopter-crash-y-s-rajasekhara-reddy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811072053/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-09-03/india/28065464_1_ysr-reddy-helicopter-crash-y-s-rajasekhara-reddy |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 August 2011 |title=PMO confirms death of Andhra CM |date=3 September 2009 |work=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=23 May 2011}}</ref> The [[Director general of police|Director General of Police]] said that the bodies were charred beyond recognition and had to be identified on the basis of clothing.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/News/hyderabad/Charred-bodies-of-YSR-others-identified-by-clothes/Article1-449885.aspx |title=Charred bodies of YSR, others identified by clothes |work=Hindustan Times |location=India |date=3 September 2009 |access-date=23 May 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110102191201/http://www.hindustantimes.com/News/hyderabad/Charred-bodies-of-YSR-others-identified-by-clothes/Article1-449885.aspx |archive-date=2 January 2011 }}</ref> The autopsy of all the bodies was carried out at [[Kurnool Medical College]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-09-04/india/28100527_1_ysr-rudrakodur-m-malakondiah |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811072105/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-09-04/india/28100527_1_ysr-rudrakodur-m-malakondiah |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 August 2011 |title=Autopsy conducted on YSR in Kurnool |date=4 September 2009 |work=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=23 May 2011}}</ref>

An investigation eventually concluded that the factors that caused that crash included a problem with the transmission oil pressure system that distracted the crew from the worsening weather for more than six minutes. It was also noted that the pilots of the helicopter never discussed the bad weather, diverting, or returning to base.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.aponline.gov.in/Apportal/Downloads/R.K.%20TYAGI%20REPORT.pdf|title=Report on Accident to Andhra Pradesh|website=Andhra Pradesh Online Portal|access-date=11 May 2016}}</ref>

Reddy's body was buried on 4 September at Idupulapai in Kadapa district with full state honours in accordance with Christian rites<ref>{{cite web |last= Dharur |first= Suresh |title= Farewell, 'King of Kadapa' |url= http://www.tribuneindia.com/2009/20090905/main1.htm |date= 4 September 2009 |work= Chandigarh Tribune |access-date=10 September 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title= YSR buried with full state honours in native village |url= http://www.indianexpress.com/news/ysr-buried-with-full-state-honours-in-native-village/511831/ |date= 3 September 2009 |work=The Indian Express    |location=India |access-date=10 September 2009}}</ref> by the [[Church of South India]] clergy.

=== Aftermath ===
A Telugu television station, NTV, reported that as many as 122 people died of shock or committed suicide upon hearing the news of Reddy's death, many of whom were young supporters or those who benefited from his social welfare schemes.  This was not, however, independently confirmed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/over-100-die-after-ysrs-death-son-appeals-for-calm/100684-3.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090906224343/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/over-100-die-after-ysrs-death-son-appeals-for-calm/100684-3.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 September 2009 |title=Over 100 die after YSR's death in Andhra – India News – IBNLive |publisher=Ibnlive.in.com |date=5 September 2009 |access-date=15 June 2012}}</ref>

[[Finance minister|Finance Minister]] [[Konijeti Rosaiah]] was sworn in as Chief Minister following Reddy's death.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/news/videos/video_player.php?id=1153685|title=Finance Minister K Rosiah is caretaker CM|date=3 September 2009|publisher=NDTV|access-date=3 September 2009}}</ref>

Six months after his death, Reddy's son, Jagan, began a condolence tour (''Odarpu Yatra'') to meet the families of those who either allegedly committed suicide or died of shock after hearing the death of his father. The Congress party's central leadership directed Jagan to call off the Odarpu Yatra, but he refused. The tour was successful and established Jagan as a major political force in state politics. He resigned from the Congress party on 29 November 2010 and announced on 7 December 2010 from Pulivendula that he would be starting a new party within 45 days. On 16 February the YSR Congress Party came into existence with Jagan as its president.

Elections for the seats left vacant due to the resignations of Jagan and Y. S. Vijayamma (Reddy's wife) were held on 8 May 2011. Contesting on behalf of the newly formed [[YSR Congress Party]], Jagan and Vijayamma both won easily.

==Honours==
* On 8 July 2010, the Government of [[Andhra Pradesh]] renamed the Kadapa district as [[YSR district]] in honour of Reddy, who was a native of that district.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kadapa district to be named after YSR|url= http://newindianexpress.com/states/andhra_pradesh/article439652.ece |publisher=New Indian Express|access-date=15 June 2012|date=18 June 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Kadapa district to be named after YSR |url=http://www.hindu.com/2009/09/04/stories/2009090458310100.htm  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090905062329/http://www.hindu.com/2009/09/04/stories/2009090458310100.htm  |url-status=dead  |archive-date=5 September 2009  |access-date=15 June 2012|work=[[The Hindu]] |date=4 September 2009}}</ref>
* On 14 Sep 2009, the Andhra Cricket Association renamed ACA-VDCA cricket stadium as [[Dr. Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA–VDCA Cricket Stadium|Dr. Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium]] .
* In 2020, the Andhra Pradesh Government declared YSR jayanti to be celebrated as Farmer's Day on 8th of July every year.

==See also==
* [[Indian National Congress]]
* ''[[Yatra (2019 film)|Yatra]]''
* [[YS Jagan|Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy]]
* [[Y. S. Vijayamma]]

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy}}
* {{cite book |editor-last1=Prasada Reddy|editor-first1=T. Sivarama|title=An Autobiography of Y. S. Chinna Konda Reddy|publisher=Y. S. Prakash Reddy|date=2010|pages=|chapter=A Tribute to Y. S. Chinna Konda Reddy|chapter-url=https://www.uecf.net/books/konda_reddy_english.pdf|name-list-style=amp}}
* [https://www.ysrcongress.com/leaders/dr-ys-rajashekar-reddy-544 Official website on YSR Congress Party]
* [http://apedb.gov.in/about-dr-ys-rajasekharareddy-district.html Official website of Chief Minister]

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{{s-bef|before=[[N. Chandrababu Naidu]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh|Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh]]|years=2004–2009}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Konijeti Rosaiah]]}}
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{{Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh}}
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[[Category:1949 births]]
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[[Category:Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh]]
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[[Category:Indian Anglicans]]
[[Category:Victims of aviation accidents or incidents in India]]
[[Category:Victims of helicopter accidents or incidents]]
[[Category:People from Kadapa]]
[[Category:Lok Sabha members from Andhra Pradesh]]
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[[Category:Leaders of the Opposition in the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly]]
[[Category:Sri Venkateswara University alumni]]
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