The tragic death of K. Yerrannaidu one of the leading lights from the backward class, is a big loss to the Telugu Desam which has lost several leaders like this in the past.

I have lost my right hand. He was only interested in development Chandrababu Naidu, TD president He was loved by one and all, cutting across party lines. His death is an irreparable loss - K. Chiranjeevi Union minister of state.

There is no doubt that Kinjarapu Yerrannaidu (55) was one of the most popular name from the state in political circles in New Delhi.

During the coalition era (between 1996 and 2004), he had close links with leaders cutting across all political barriers, a rare distinction for any young politician. Yet, he led a political life with a clean image without any allegation of corruption.

Born in an agricultural family in Nimmada of Kotabommali mandal in Srikakulam district, Yerrannaidu completed his law from Andhra University and entered active politics in 1982.

A trusted man of Mr Naidu, Yerrannaidu decided to support him in the 1995 coup against N.T. Rama Rao.

Yerrannaidu became the face of TD during the 1996-2004 era of coalition politics and formation of governments. He was very bold in communicating political messages or speaking in Parliament during his successive run in the Lok Sabha between 1996 and 2004, despite his weak English.

Although a Union minister for only two years, as a leader of TD Parliamentary Party, Yerrannaidu played a key role in the survival of the NDA between 1998 and 2004.

He was respectful to seniors and juniors alike and because of his humility, he had a close working relationship with political top brass like P.V. Narasimha Rao, Seetharam Kesari, Sonia Gandhi, A.B. Vajpayee, L.K. Advani and others.

Though defeated in the 2009 polls from Srikakulam, he toured the entire constituency after losing. Yerrannaidu was in politics from 1982, but did not face a single allegation of corruption.

Yerrannaidu’s death is a real loss to TD

The tragic death of seasoned politician K. Yerrannaidu one of the leading lights from the Backward Class, is a big loss to the Telugu Desam.

This is not the first time the party has lost valuable leaders in untimely accidents. The void created by the loss of these young and dynamic leaders remains unoccupied.

There has been no effort made by party chief N. Chandrababu Naidu to develop leaders of similar calibre, who can be equally effective.

G.M.C. Balayogi, a Lok Sabha Speaker, was killed in a helicopter crash in March, 2002, yet no concrete attempt was made to develop a leader of similar stature in the East Godavari district.

A. Madhava Reddy was all-powerful in Nalgonda district’s TD politics after the exit of Jana Reddy. He served as state home minister before he was killed by Maoists in March 2000 in a landmine blast. After him, the TD has no one who could match him.

Paritala Ravi, a prominent TD leader from Anantapur, was killed by his political rivals in January 2005 and former minister Devineni Venkata Ramana, a powerful Kamma leader from Krishna district, was killed in a train mishap.

The party is still struggling to find suitable leaders from these parts to replace them. Of late Mr Naidu has started administering the party units himself, not allowing any leader to grow beyond their jurisdiction, which has cost the party dearly.