YSR Reddy sworn in as Andhra CM

Powering the Congress to a spectacular win in the assembly and Lok Sabha elections Andhra Pradesh, Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, who was sworn in today as the Chief Minister for a second consecutive term, has emerged as an unassuming, crafty leader.

Overcoming a united opposition and anti-incumbency factor, YSR as he is popularly known, has romped home with ease winning for Congress 33 of the 42 Lok Sabha seats and bagging 156 seats in the 294-member AP assembly.

The only Congress chief minister of Andhra Pradesh to complete a full five-year term and also retain it, Reddy, 59, took charge of the state in 2004 at a difficult time for the party which had been out of power in the state for 10 years.

It was a tough challenge for Reddy, the son of a mason in Kadapa district, but he has always thrived in difficult times.

After graduating in medicine and practising for a while, Reddy, groomed by a family deeply involved ion public service, began his political career with Congress in mid-1970s.

Having recognised his leadership qualities, the then Prime Minister and AICC president Indira Gandhi made him the chief of Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee way back in 1982.