Pix: PM, Sonia, Rahul pay homage to YSR

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi paid glowing tributes to the late Y S Rajasekhara Reddy in Hyderabad on Friday.  

In the condolence message issued after she offered floral tributes at the former chief minister's residence, Sonia Gandhi hailed YSR as "a dynamic, visionary, progressive leader who throughout his career strived for the upliftment of the poor, of the farmers, for the empowerment of women and welfare of children".

Text: Mohammed Siddhique 

"I am here to bid farewell to my colleague chief minister Rajasekhara Reddy. In the sad and most untimely demise of Dr Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, our country has lost an outstanding leader and the people of Andhra Pradesh have lost an ideal chief minister who was personally concerned to the welfare of the poor.  My heartfelt sympathies go to the members of the bereaved family and the people of Andhra Pradesh."

"For us in the Congress, his passing is a huge loss. We shall always cherish his contribution and we shall take inspiration from the manner in which day and night he worked tirelessly for all sections of society."

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said, "In the sad and most untimely demise of Dr Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, our country has lost an outstanding leader and the people of Andhra Pradesh have lost an ideal chief minister who was personally concerned to the welfare of the poor." 

Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi in his statement termed YSR a true leader.

"Andhra Pradesh and India have had a tremendous loss.  I personally learnt a lot from the chief minister.  He is an inspiration to those who would like to impact the lives of the poor people of our country.  It is a sad day for all of us."