By IANS,
Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K. Rosaiah led the state Thursday in paying tributes to his predecessor Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy on his birth anniversary. YSR was killed in a helicopter crash last year.
YSR’s widow Vijayalakshmi, daughter Sharmila and other family members paid tributes at YSR Ghat at the family estate in Idupulapaya in Kadapa district, which was Thursday renamed as YSR district. YSR was born on July 8, 1949.
A large number of Congress workers and followers paid floral tributes at the grave. Special prayers were also held on the occasion. The visitors included hundreds of students from the educational institutions set up by YSR in the region.
In Srikakulam district, YSR’s only son Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy began his ‘Odarpu yatra’ to console the families of those who died of shock following YSR’s death.
In the state capital, Chief Minister Rosaiah unveiled YSR’s statue and paid rich tributes to him at the main official function.
“A heartfelt remembrance of the winner of people’s hearts. Our government will work every second to ensure that your immortal smile shows up on every face of the state,” said a government advertisement in newspapers.
The Congress Legislature Party (CLP) held a meeting to remember YSR, as the late leader was popularly called. Addressing the legislators, Rosaiah said people could never forget YSR for the welfare schemes he initiated.
He denied that his government was trying to belittle YSR by holding an assembly session on his birth anniversary. Instead, he said, the government was celebrating the birth anniversary on a grand scale. He also denied he was trying to stall the yatra of Jaganmohan Reddy.
The main opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has questioned the decision of Speaker Kirankumar Reddy to allow installation of YSR’s portrait in the state assembly and pointed out that no former chief minister’s portrait was installed there.
Tributes were also paid to YSR at Gandhi Bhavan, the Congress headquarters. Ministers and legislators led the celebrations in various districts.
Feeding the poor, distribution of fruits to patients and giving away text books in schools were held as part of the celebrations across the state.