New Delhi, Sep 3 - The news of Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy's death in a helicopter crash cast a pall of gloom over the Andhra Pradesh Bhavan in the national capital Thursday.

Union Minister of State for Defence Pallam Raju, who was among the first to come and pay his condolences, said the nation has lost 'a powerful leader'.

'The sudden passing away of our chief minister under tragic circumstances is a big shock to the people of Andhra Pradesh and the nation. Reddy was the leader of the masses and whose heart beat for the common man, the under-privileged and the farming community. In his death country has lost a great and powerful leader. May god bless his departed soul and give strength to his family,' Raju wrote in his condolence message.

YSR, as the chief minister was popularly known, was on his way to Chittoor, about 580 km from the state capital Hyderabad, when his helicopter lost contact with the air traffic control around 9.30 a.m. Wednesday.

The crashed helicopter with the bodies of YSR and four others was sighted Thursday morning by Indian Air Force choppers on a forested hilltop in Kurnool district, about 200 km from the state capital.

'He was a very powerful and important leader. He used to work for the common man. He started a lots of irrigation projects. He implemented all the central and the state government schemes with full dedication... big loss to the country. We will work in his name and fulfil his dreams,' Raju said in his message.

A prayer meeting was organised at the Andhra Bhavan and a condolence meeting is scheduled Thursday evening. Left leaders D. Raja and Sitaram Yechury also came to pay their tributes. The national flag was flying at half mast atop the building.