Former Andhra Pradesh Minister and ex-MP YS Vivekananda Reddy passed away on Friday morning after reportedly suffering a severe cardiac arrest at his residence in Pulivendula in Kadapa district. He was 68 years old and was reported to be busy in campaigning for the YSRCP until earlier this week.
Vivekananda Reddy is the brother of former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhar Reddy and uncle of present Leader of Opposition YS Jagan Mohan Reddy and his death comes as a blow to his party. According to sources, he was being considered for the Kadapa MP ticket in the upcoming polls.
Born in 1950, Vivekananda Reddy served as an MLA, MLC and MP besides holding several positions in the Congress party over the decades. Reddy holds a degree in Agriculture from SV Agricultural College in Tirupati.
He was first elected as an MLA in 1989 and later in 1994, from Pulivendula constituency, which is a bastion of the YS family, as the seat is presently held by Jagan. Later, Vivekananda became an MP for two consecutive terms from Kadapa in 1999 and 2004.
In 2009, when Jagan Mohan Reddy stepped into active politics, Vivekananda Reddy sacrificed his sitting Kadapa MP ticket for Jagan, who went on to hold the seat till 2014.
Though YS Jagan Mohan Reddy formed YSRCP in 2011 after his father's death in a helicopter crash, Vivekananda Reddy remained in Congress and even served as the Agriculture Minister during the tenure of former CM Kiran Kumar Reddy, in the last Cabinet of united Andhra Pradesh.
As the news of his death spread, his former colleagues remembered him as a humble leader who was always available to the people in Pulivendula. Many also took to Twitter to express their condolences.
వైఎస్ వివేకానంద రెడ్డి హఠాన్మరణం దిగ్భ్రాంతికరం. తీవ్ర విచారకరం. ఆయన అకాల మరణం పార్టీకి తీరని లోటు. వారి ఆత్మకు శాంతి చేకూరాలని కోరుకుంటూ ఆయన కుటుంబసభ్యులకు నా ప్రగాఢ సంతాపం, సానుభూతిని తెలియచేస్తున్నా.
— Vijayasai Reddy V (@VSReddy_MP) March 15, 2019
Deeply saddened with the demise of y s vivekananda Reddy garu my condolences to the family RIP
— Devendrareddy Vara (@DevendrareddyV2) March 15, 2019
Shocked and saddened to hear that our leader Y.S vivekananda Reddy sir is no more !!!! May his soul Rest in Peace !!!! A very Sad day to all the YSR family and party members across the state. pic.twitter.com/FZKKuWujkM
— peram swarna latha (@lathaperam) March 15, 2019
#RestInPeace Y.S.Vivekananda Reddy uncle Former Andhra Pradesh Minister and Member of Parliament(Brother of Legendary YSR,Andhrapradesh Former cheif minister)....it’s Really Very shocking News,Spoke to him Couple of days ago and had long discussion ....He was Very Simple Person pic.twitter.com/MrGqqYtL3C
— ABHISHEK Naidu (@AbhishekBjp1987) March 15, 2019
Saddened to hear about the sudden passing away of Sri YS Vivekananda Reddy Garu. My condolences to the bereaved family members.
— Lokesh Nara (@naralokesh) March 15, 2019
In the 2011 bye-elections, Vivekananda Reddy had contested against Y S Vijayamma, his sister-in-law, for the Pulivendula MLA seat, but was defeated. In the same bye-elections, Jagan emerged as a strong leader in the state after defeating DL Ravindra Reddy from the Congress with a huge majority to become the Kadapa MP. Following this, Vivekananda joined the YSRCP ahead of the 2014 elections.