"YSR an elder brother"- Bellary mine lord Janardhan Reddy

(Gali Janardhan Reddy with YSR during foundation stone laying ceremony of Bramhani Steels)

By Shivakumar G Malagi

September/ 2009

Amidst much speculation about the Reddy brothers' association with the late Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S.Rajashekhar Reddy, tourism minister G. Janardhan Reddy on Saturday grieved his death saying he had lost his "elder brother and guiding spirit."
"I am deeply grieved at losing my elder brother YSR. I do not have words to describe the relationship we shared," the minister said.
Speaking to reporters after inaugurating a school sports event at Tekkalakote village here, Mr Reddy refused to entertain questions about the Reddy brothers' alleged political and business links with the late YSR.
However, he described YSR as a tall personality and a model for all political leaders irrespective of their affiliations due to his propeople reforms.
He vowed to follow the YSR path in terms of honesty and commitment for development in his own political career.
When asked if his "cordial relations" with YSR had anything to do with the business interests he and his brothers reportedly shared with his son Jaganmohan Reddy, he said, "There was nothing like that between us. It was a cordial relationship between a Chief Minister and a businessman. The late Chief Minister YSR supported enterprising businessmen."

Bellary Reddy brothers lobby for Jagan

By Shivakumar G Malagi

September / 2009

The political skills of the Reddy brothers --which helped them pull off Operation Kamal and ensure the BJP government a majority in the Assembly--could come to the rescue of Jaganmohan Reddy, son of late YSR as he waits for the decision on who the next AP Chief Minister will be.
With the Congress high command frowning on the efforts of the Jagan camp to ensure he makes it to the post without fail, there are many who are keeping their fingers crossed on who the next chief minister could be. "If the high command decides against making Jagan CM, the Reddy brothers could come into the picture.They may push for a Jagan government with the support of a splinter group of the Congress and the Praja Rajyam Party." the sources claimed adding that a couple of legislators of the PRP are relatives of the Reddy brothers.
Health minister B, Sriramulu who is close to the Reddy brothers, is hopeful that Jagan will emerge as CM. "I personally feel Jagan's name may be cleared by the Congress high command after the mourning period," he told Deccan Chronicle.
But there are others who say that with YSR gone, the Reddy brothers are at a loss as they do not have good ties with any other top Congress leader who is close to 10 Janpath.
There is also a feeling in political circles that YSR's absence may spur Congress leaders in Karnataka to pressurise the high command to get tough on the Reddys `illegal' mining business.

Bellary Reddys go all out for YS Jagan

By Shivakumar G malagi

September/ 2009

With the sevenday mourning period of former Andhra Pradesh chief minister Rajashekar Reddy set to end on Wednesday, the powerful Reddy brothers have reportedly shifted base to Hyderabad to give a `push' to Jaganmohan Reddy's prospects. Sources said a Congress legislators' meeting likely to be convened in the next couple of days to ensure that the 37year-old Kadapa MP, son of YSR, has an easy ascent to the CM's post.
Sources said tourism minister Janardhan Reddy who is reportedly a business partner of Jagan in mining and steel ventures, is camping in Hyderabad as Congress legislators have started arriving in the city anticipating a CLP meeting.
"Janardhan Reddy is pulling all strings with the help of YSR loyalist and Rajya Sabha MP K.V.P.Ramachandra Rao to make Jagan the next CM," said sources in Bellary. Meanwhile, Congress MLA from Rayadurga constituency, K. Ramachandra Reddy -- who is a close relative of Janardhan Reddy and joint managing director of Obulapuram mining company (OMC)-expressed confidence that the Congress high command will clear the name of Jagan for CM as there is no `alternative in sight.' This is the only way left to console the grief-stricken public and complete the unfulfilled agenda of YSR, he said.
"If Jagan is not made Chief Minister, there will be no government in Andhra Pradesh. Every legislator will resign and anarchy will prevail," he remarked.
On Union ministers Purandareshwari and Jaipal Reddy being considered for the CM's post, he said, "These reports are not true.How can you name Purandareshwari or Jaipal Reddy as the next CM when their popularity levels are low in the coastal and Telangana regions respectively, as per a survey conducted by a private agency?"

Bellary Reddy Brothers push for Jagan as Andhra CM

By Shivakumar G Malagi

September 5, 2009

The Reddy brothers, mining barons turned ministers in the Karnataka government, who shared "good relations" with the late Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Rajasekhar Reddy, are believed to be backing his 37-year-old son Jaganmohan Reddy for the CM's gaddi.
Sources close to the Reddy brothers said they were working with Rajya Sabha member and close YSR aide, K.V.P. Ramachandra Rao, who is believed to be pulling every string possible, to ensure that Jagan replaces his father.
Tourism minister G.Janardhan Reddy and health minister B. Sriramulu had left for Hyderabad Wednesday evening after hearing of YSR's helicopter going missing over the Kurnool forests and were in Pulivendula for his last rites on Friday.
Speaking to Bellary Correspondent, Deccan Chronicle over the phone from Pulivendula next day after the funeral, Mr Sriramulu said, "YSR toiled hard for the Congress in Andhra Pradesh. I personally feel that elevating Jagan to the post of Chief Minister will be a fitting tribute to him."
According to him, if Jagan was made Chief Minister, he would ensure Congress rule in Andhra Pradesh for the next 20 years.
"Jagan knew the way Rajasekhar Reddy thought. He alone can finish his father's unfulfilled agenda. I feel making Jagan the CM is the right way to console the grief-stricken people and party workers," he added. .
Referring to Union minister Jaipal Reddy being talked of as a strong contender for the CM's post as well, he said, "We are holding talks with various leaders on the issue of Jagan becoming CM."
Meanwhile, the antiReddy mining lobby in Bellary alleged the Reddy brothers were backing Jagan to perpetuate the status quo in the interest of their mining and steel industries in Andhra Pradesh.

School buddies miss YSR

Young Raja: YSR with B Sc First Year friends in Veerashaiva College in Bellary in 1964-65

By Shivakumar G Malagi

Bellary, Sep 3, 2009

Leny, Narasimha Murthy, Ashwath Singh, Kaleshwar Mudaliar, Dr Francis, Muralidhar, Ramkoti, Anki Reddy, literally broke into tears on Thursday morning (Sep 3 2009) as television channels aired the sad news that their childhood friend, `Raja’ has found dead on Rudrakonda Hill in Kurnool district in an air crash.
`Raja’ of Leny and his friends is none other than departed Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Dr Y S Rajashekhar Reddy.
It is a popular impression that YSR connection with Bellary is linked with BJP Reddy Brothers, since it has been alleged that YSR son Jagamohan Reddy has business links with Reddys’ Obulapuram Mining Company and Rs 2,500 crore estimated Brahmini Steels in Jammalamadagu in Cuddappa.
In fact, YSR connection with this Andhra bordering city of Bellary is nearly five decade long old and is till date alive among many childhood friends.
Going by the memory lane, Leny alias Dr Leonard Gonsalves, who is running Infant Jesus English Medium School on Bomaby Press Road here said that his and `Raja’s family had a familiar relationship and both were grown up like brothers.

Yedugoori Sandinti Venkat Reddy, grand father of YSR was a Lord Venkateshwara devotee till Father Rolls and Sister Noble descended on his Balpanur village, near Pulivendla, Cuddapah district. The two British Protestants struck a chord in Venkat Reddy's heart, and he embraced Christianity.
YSR father, Y S Raja Reddy, who took contract work of Tungabhadra High Level Canal found Bellary a suitable place for the education of his five children and also to pursue his contract and transport business and in 1958, he settled down in Bellary with his family.
YSR pursued his high school education from 7th standard to 11th standard (then, SSLC) in St. John’s High School located in Fort area here.
“In the end of high school study, Father Pinto asked every boy what they want to become in their professional life after completing studies. Every boy started giving regular answers of becoming doctor and engineer. But, Raja stood up and said that he would become a minister one day and serve people. He achieved his ambition, But, unfortunately God gave him lesser time to serve people”, Leny adds with tearful eyes.
Later, YSR joined the intermediate course at Loyola College in Vijayawada for a year. Then, it was required to complete either one-year Pre Professional Course or one-year B Sc to get admission into medicine. Therefore, YSR joined Veerashaiva Vidhyavardhak Sangh College to do B Sc for a year.
Subsequently, he got admission into MBBS at Mahadevappa Rampure Medical College in Gulbarga. Mr. Reddy's initiation into politics began in Gulbarga when he was elected president of the Mahadevappa Rampure Medical College Students' Union. He completed his MBBS in 1972.

After the completion of children’s education in Bellary, Raja Reddy (who was murdered in 1998) shifted family his to native Pulivendla in Cuddapah district of AP.
Even after he left Bellary, I and other some friends are in regular touch with YSR. I used to meet him on every alternative month. Even after becoming Chief Minister, he showered same love and affection on me and I only initiated to launch `SRR Friends and Fans Association’ which in turn helped him lot in previous assembly election”, he said.

Leny who met Raja, just eight days ago in Hyderabad broke into tears while showing the black and white photograph of young Raja in his college days, said,” though I am humble principal of a small school today, Raja, being a Chief Minister always treated me in dignified way and proudly introduced me to many big people. He always remained as my close friend Raja of St John’s School and never been a powerful chief minister”.

Going by Memory Lane:

YSR avid sportsmen:

Ashwath Singh, an agriculturist in Kamalapur said that he always competed with YSR in foot ball match. “Even Raja Reddy, father of Raja used to invite me to play foot ball with his son. Despite strict restrictions from hostel warden Francis, ex-army men, we all used to spend most time on swimming and rifle shooting. But, till today those days are very much green in my heart when Raja used to play touching tunes on his flute and I used to play beagle”

YSR affectionate personality:

Narasimha Murthy, agriculturist in Hosa Daroji was a junior to YSR in school and also hostel mate said that YSR was well off among other boys in school, but never been arrogant.In those days itself, his father, Raja Reddy used to come by a jeep to see his children in hostel, but he too never shown superiority and used to freely mingle with other boys.
“Raja was very good at keeping text books neatly and orderly on shelve in hostel room. After passing the examinations, he used to gift his books to junior friends. He gifted some valuable books on Physics to me. Till date, I keep at as a treasured asset.”

Emotional Boy

Former Bellary MP Kolur Basavanagouda who served as a non-teaching staff with Veerashaiva College when YSR was a B Sc first year student (1964-65) there recalls that Rajashekhar was a "good, but emotional" boy unlike his brothers George Reddy and Vivekananda Reddy. He was seen always leading a gang of boys in the college. He was mischievous, but never been arrogant or harmful to other students though he was well off compared to other boys in the college.