Union Cabinet condoles YSR's death; announces state funeral

Hailing him as a tall leader who brought tremendous development to Andhra Pradesh, the Union Cabinet today condoled the death of chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy and announced a state funeral for him.

"The national flag will fly at half mast in Andhra Pradesh today and tomorrow and all Central and state government offices in the state will remain closed tomorrow," Information and Broadcasting minister Ambika Soni told reporters after the cabinet meeting.

The meeting, chaired by prime minister Manmohan Singh, adopted a resolution highlighting various welfare schemes implemented by him during his first tenure as chief minister.

"He gave a new thrust to the women's self-help group movement and made Andhra Pradesh the leading state in enrolment and empowerment of women," it said.

Describing Reddy, a qualified doctor, as a "natural reformer and moderniser", the resolution said the overwhelming support of the poor and the middle classes as well as those belonging to SC, ST and OBC people, ensured his victory in the assembly elections held in May this year, and enabled him a second term in office as chief minister.

"Reddy has passed away in tragic circumstances. He was at the peak of his political career and popularity when the hand of fate intervened. In his death, the country as lost an eminent political leader, an astute administrator and above all a friend of the poor and downtrodden," it said, adding that the Cabinet has placed on record its deep sense of grief and loss and extended its condolences to his family.