Reddy's death tremendous loss for party: Congress

Describing Y S Rajasekhara Reddy as a "dynamic" chief minister and human being, Congress today said his demise was a "tremendous loss" to the party which will take very long to come to terms with it.  

Reacting to his tragic death in a chopper crash, the Congress said Reddy was "utterly" devoted to the party, to the state of Andhra Pradesh and to the country and his loss will be felt "very deeply". 

"He was such a dynamic CM, dynamic human being and a man of the people, something that will take us very long to come to terms with," party spokesperson Jayanti Natarajan said. 

She said it was tragic that he died while actually engaged in the active implementation of his "important schemes". 

Reddy had recently led the Congress to a historic victory in the Parliamentary elections in Andhra Pradesh.     

"He had tremendous political instincts and he was a Congressman to the last drop of his blood... It's a tremendous loss to the political firmament and to find either his pulse on the feeling of the masses and some of his courage and dynamism is very very difficult," Natarajan said.  

She said Reddy was absolutely determined that the implementation of his schemes should not fail and he should deliver the promises he made to the people of Andhra Pradesh.   

Condoling Reddy's death, Left parties described him the "popular" Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh.  

"It is most tragic and unfortunate. The victory he had achieved in the recent elections had established his popularity in Andhra Pradesh," CPI-M Politburo member Sitaram Yechury said here.Conveying his "deepest" condolence to the late CM's wife and family members, Yechury said: "At a time when he could influence the national politics, he unfortunately passed away".

Expressing shock, the CPI said Reddy was "the popular" Chief Minister who was known for several welfare measures in the state. "His demise is a big loss not only to Andhra but to the entire country," the party said in a statement.  

Terming Reddy as the son of the soil, BJP president Rajnath Singh said his demise has left a big void in the country.

"Reddy was the son of the soil and had special concern for the welfare of poor and other weaker sections of the society. He was a leader who believed in serving the people through development and good governance," Singh told reporters here.

He said as a mark of respect for the late leader, BJP's flag would fly at half mast at the party headquarters.  Party leaders said this is perhaps for the first time that party's flag will fly at half mast following the demise of a leader of the opposition party.

Singh said, "The Andhra Chief Minister's demise has left a big void in the country and it is an irreparable loss especially for the people of Andhra Pradesh.  Senior BJP leader M Venkaiah Naidu said, "The state and the people have lost a promising dynamic leader with the death of Rajasekhar Reddy".

"We have been hoping that Reddy will come back safely. But it was a big shock and God has been unkind," Naidu said.