Date:26/04/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/04/26/stories/2004042605580400.htm

Andhra Pradesh

I am here to serve people: YSR

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, APRIL 25. The former CLP leader, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, has said that was into politics only for rendering service to people.

Answering queries at a meet-the-press programme organised by the Andhra Pradesh Union of Working Journalists (APUWJ) here on Sunday, Dr. Reddy said: "If in the process of serving people, one becomes the Chief Minister, it will enable one to render more service. The Chief Minister's job, however, is not a coveted one for me."

The aim of any politician was to go down in the history as a good leader, he clarified further. The question of who should become the Chief Minister was not important at this stage as it was the prerogative of the elected legislators, he said when asked to comment on the silence of the party in this matter and the TDP criticism of the same.

"Are we not electing MLAs now? There is no direct election for the Chief Minister. So how does such a question arise?" he quipped. The Congress Chief Minister would be acceptable to one and all, he said.

This is the first time that Dr. Reddy making any reference to becoming the Chief Minister.