YSR will be remembered for his popular measures

Born on July 8, 1949, to Raja Reddy, a Cuddapah strongman, YSR studied medicine at the MR Medical College, Gulbarga, in Karnataka and also practised for some time and later set up his own hospital. But he was destined to be a politician and was elected for the first time to the state assembly from Pulivendula, a seat which he won a record five times.

He also served twice as state Congress president and twice as the leader of the opposition in the state assembly.

Though his political opponents often described him as a “factionist” and “vindictive”, YSR will be remembered by the common man for his popular initiatives like Rs 2 per kg rice for the poor, free electricity to the small farmers, and massive irrigation projects, scholarships for the students and pension for women.