• Late Chief Minister served from 2004-09

• Single handedly won the assembly elections.

• Died in an Aviation accident on this day in 2009, just after winning elections in May.

• Political chaos coupled with nature's silence results in bad crop and high price hikes.

• The void created due to his demise was unfilled to this day.

• People miss him and await 'Rajanna' era, may be they expect Jagan to do the magic.

• Leaders have come and gone, but Rajanna remains forever in the hearts of the downtrodden.

• He was a lion in the enemy's heart taking them unawares in his stride to power.

• Probably the sole Congress leader who gained respects from all factions.

The Raja of Pulivendla had the rare distinction of being the only state Congress leader to have won so many elections and probably the only to have won all the elections he contested. Late Chief Minister YS Rajashekar Reddy (YSR) had won from the Kadapa Constituency to the Lok Sabha for four consecutive times. And for the assembly he contested from his home town Pulivendla and won five times. Infact Congress was supposedly in a collapsible state, way back in 2003. Continuous defeats at the hands of the  then strong Telugu Desam Party which ruled the state for almost two decades. Then YSR took on padayatra and toured the entire state to create awareness, in 2003. The party won a landslide victory because of his strenuous efforts.

Since then there was no looking back for this visionary leaders. But as good things do not last for long the state lost an able leader and good administrator in 2009 in a freak air crash. 'Rajanna' as he is popularly called by the masses had people's support backing him due to the various welfare schemes he devised for them. Such huge mandates were  unknown to the people till then. Rajanna pioneered in getting the farmer behind him with his ultimate weapon 'free current.' Absolutely in contrast to what is happening now,  frequent power outages and drastic power bill hikes.

Another issue that he concentrated was the Rajiv Gandhi Arogyasri welfare scheme. This schemes meant free treatment to many common diseases. As big as a heart operation to as small as a appendicitis operation, was available free of cost to the economically down trodden. Best medical facilities borne by the government was rarest of the ideas that took people by a surprise. The scheme was in place for the below poverty line or pink card holders. But incase if a person did not have a pink card and if they were in dire states financially, then with a letter form the village revenue head would grant them this immunity. At any government or multi-speciality hospital of their choice. The patient was paid for his medication and later paid for post surgery care too. After YSR's death the scheme rotted like a rust iron and was limited to fewer diseases and the venues were also restricted to government hospitals only.

Then the EMRI, a free ambulance services, in association with the Satyam group was another instant hit that was admired by public. Prior to YSR, an accident victim had to wait bleeding for someone to spot his alive to be taken for medical care. But after EMRI in action, all you got to do is, call up the ambulance. Ambulance parked at vantage points on the national highway would rush to your call. Infact this service saved many lives on road accidents.

Then as he felt that small and medium entrepreneurs (SME) paved way for national progress, the Pavala Vaddi loan was offered. This was another sensational success amidst the SMEs. Then the fee reimbursement scheme to engineering college students gave hope to millions who never thought that it would be possible for them to pursue their educational aims. The state government was the best state that implemented the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA), the dream child of the father of the nation. Under YSR aegis the scheme was successfully implemented in the state.

Of all the issues Rajanna was phenomenal in getting the naxals in control. He was an able administrator and knew where to give the carrots and where to wield the stick. During the period of the Rajanna golden era even naxal events were low and many naxals also surrendered to start afresh life, in the society. However the Jala Yagnam proposal  superseded all other welfare schemes. With his vision nearly 10,000,000acres of land was irrigated with construction of major, medium and minor irrigation projects.

The Difference between the opposition and YSR:

1. The number of engineering colleges increased during the earlier TDP government. But YSR gave the poor a chance to study with fee reimbursements.
2. Naxals were dealt with an iron hand but still were virulent and they even attacked the TDP chief's convoy, during their rule. On the contrary YSR gave them the carrot and the stick and let them choose.
3. TDP gave rise to hi tech industry, YSR gave importance to SMEs, as he knew the underlying truth that when money spins in small denominations the income and development is astronomical.
4. TDP gave free rice to the poor and many turned lazy too. But YSR gave free current to the poor who in turn used the power to brighten their lives.
5. TDP concentrated in making hi-tech cities while YSR looked at the grass root level with medicine and employment schemes.

The difference is of course is huge and there could be no one who could be compared to this great leader. However after his death no matter how many people give blatant statements the poor enjoyed his rule. And as per the democracy if the mass enjoyed then its is good governance. Based on this that democracy is for the people, by the people and of the people, 'Rajanna' was the example. We miss you sir and on this day we lessen our burden, by remembering your vision and execution.  (With inputs from internet-AW AarKay