The Congress Working Committee deeply mourns the tragic and untimely passing away of Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. The CWC is stunned and shocked by his sudden demise.

Dr. Rajasekhar Reddy had a natural feel for politics as also an instinctive command of governance. He played a pivotal role in the revival of the Congress party in the state after it had been in the Opposition for almost ten years. His indefatigable campaigning across the State secured a decisive mandate for the Congress Party in the 2004 Assembly elections. He used that mandate purposefully to impart a whole new direction to the state's development with an extraordinary emphasis on programmes for the welfare of farmers, irrigation, social security schemes for the weaker sections of society, women's self-help groups, health and nutrition, to name just a few examples.

It was this outstanding record of achievements under his leadership that returned the Congress Party to power in his state for a second term in May 2009. This also contributed to our remarkable victory in the Lok Sabha elections, 2009. Dr. YS Rajasekhar Reddy was a man of vision, courage and dynamism. He was a man of the people. He connected with and inspired people from all walks of life but particularly the poor, the underprivileged and the disadvantaged.

The CWC places on record the stellar contributions of Dr. Rajasekhar Reddy both as a Congressman and as an administrator. His untimely passing is a tremendous loss to the party, the State and the country.

The CWC shares his family's extreme pain and anguish and conveys its deepest condolences to them in this moment of grief. The CWC also shares the sorrow of his friends, colleagues and supporters.

The CWC conveys its deep-felt condolences to the bereaved families of Principal Secretary Dr. Subramaniam, Group Captain SK Bhatia, Co-pilot MS Reddy and Chief Security Officer AS Wesley.