Hyderabad: Hailing the leadership of late Y S
Rajasekhara Reddy, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah
today said the real tribute to him would be following his
footsteps.
"Rajasekhara Reddy used to say that his aim is to
contribute to making Rahul Gandhi Prime Minister in 2014. He
is not there now. But we should work hard to realise that," he
said, speaking at a function organised by the state government
on the occasion of Reddy`s birth anniversary here.
Rosaiah called for strengthening the party under the
leadership of UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh.
He said he has seen a number of Chief Ministers in his
long political career but Reddy was most charming of all.
Reddy had endeared himself to all sections of his society
with his charming smile and friendly behaviour, he said.
Praja Rajyam president Chiranjeevi said he always found
Reddy smiling though he faced a number of challenges.
Disclosing that some people had advised him against
attending the function, he wondered what is wrong in paying
tributes to a leader who belonged a rival party.
Chiranjeevi also found fault with some MLAs (TDP)
"politicising" the government installing a portrait of Reddy
in the Assembly building.
"We may differ on various public issues. But our goal is
to serve people. We can come together when it comes to doing
something good. It is unfortunate that some MLAs took
exception to installation of YSR`s portrait. Why should it be
politicised- We should rise above politics on such occasions,"
he said.
Assembly Speaker N Kiran Kumar Reddy said YSR could
always take a clear decision and remain cheerful even in the
face of complex problems.
State Congress president D Srinivas said the state
government should organise YSR`s birth anniversary every year.
Majlis Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) president and Hyderabad
MP Asaduddin Owaisi said YSR implemented various welfare
schemes like scholarships, reservations for the minority
community and Rs 2,000 crore package for old city Muslims.
State Legislative Council Chairman A Chakrapani and
former Karnataka Governor V S Ramadevi also spoke on the
occasion.
Meanwhile, Reddy`s birth anniversary was celebrated by
the Andhra Pradesh government across the state with ministers
participating in them.
Reddy`s wife Vijayalakshmi and other family members paid
tributes to him at the site where he was buried inside the
family estate at Idupulapaya in Kadapa district.
PTI
