After successive defeats at the hustings in 1994 and 1999, the morale of the Congress party in Andhra Pradesh was at an all time low. YSR made it his mission to revitalise the party.

His missionary zeal could be the reason why he seen as a 'militant politician.' It's an epithet his mother cannot understand. In fact, when asked why people call him the 'Cuddapah Tiger', Jayamma says, "I don't know. His father was called a Tiger. My son is soft-spoken unless he is angry. He is frank and occasionally bursts out, but he never harbours a grudge against anyone."

YSR talks to children at his road show during the assembly election.

Also see: Trailing T R Balu