The Hindu Business Line : Speculation abounds as search continues

Hyderabad, Sept. 2 Few thought that the early morning report that the chopper carrying the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, has lost contact with the ground control could unfold into a major drama.

Even as the whole nation — including the President, Ms Pratibha Patil, the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, and the UPA Chairperson, Ms Sonia Gandhi — is monitoring the situation, the day-long developments left many in confusion over the safety and whereabouts of the Chief Minister.

Thousands of people, representing all religions and political parties, across the State prayed for Dr Reddy’s safety.

But the biggest problem the search teams face is that Nallamala, or Black Hills — the 430-km forest stretch that runs parallel to the Bay of Bengal. The forests are sparsely populated and touch four districts.

In the absence of official statement till 4 p.m., a spate of rumours started flying thick and fast. The TV channels fuelled this further. While one stated that the Chief Minister could talk to Mr K.V.P. Ramachandra Rao or KVP (closest friend of Dr YSR) using a satellite phone, another reported that he was about to reach Chittoor (where he was originally headed).

National channels too joined the race and announced Dr Reddy was safe, quoting Mr Praful Patel, Civil Aviation Minister. The Ministry, however, had later clarified that it could not trace the helicopter yet.

The rumour mills went on a overdrive with creative leads, till Mr K. Rosaiah, the State Finance Minister and considered to be the No 2 in the State Cabinet, put to rest to all speculation and announced that the Chief Minister was still missing.

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