Dr. Yeduguri Sandinti Rajasekhara Reddy famously known as Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy or YSR was a popular political figure in the South Indian politics. He was born in Pulivendula, Andhra Pradesh to Y. S. Raja and Jayamma Reddy on July 8, 1949.

YSR nurtured an interest in politics since his student days. Reddy was elected as the president of his college student's union while studying medical science in M.R Medical College of Gulbarga University, in neighboring Karnataka. He was also president of the House Surgeon's Association of S.V. Medical College, Tirupati, YSR also served as Medical Officer at the Jammalamadugu Mission Hospital for a brief period. In 1973, he established a 70-bed charitable hospital, named after his father Y.S. Raja Reddy at Pulivendula.

In 1975 Reddy was made the President of the Cuddapah District Youth Congress Committee. In 1978 he made his debut to Andhra Pradesh Assembly from his birthplace Pulivendula and retained the seat for six terms. Reddy's hold on the constituency was intact even during the Telagu Desam Party's strong wave in 1983. Reddy was one of those rare politicians of the country who never tasted defeat in electoral politics. Reddy developed the Cuddapah region by pumping in funds and creating a solid infrastructure, making the constituency its neighbors' envy.

In 1980 YSR became Minister of State for Rural Development, in the Tengutri Anjaih Government. In 1982 he became the Cabinet Minister for Excise in the B.Venkataram Reddy Government and also held the charge of Education and Health department in K.Vijay Bhaskar Reddy Government in 1983. YSR had earned the title of Cuddapah Tiger for his aggressive role in the state assembly.

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