NEW DELHI — A powerful politician considered an influential player in the ruling Congress Party was found dead on Thursday after his helicopter disappeared in bad weather in southern India.

The wreckage of the helicopter carrying Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, 60, the chief minister of the state of Andhra Pradesh, was discovered after a search following its disappearance Wednesday morning on a flight to the city of Chittor. Four other people also died.

“We are in deep mourning,” said India’s home minister, P. Chidambaram, as he announced the death in New Delhi. “We have a deep sense of shock, grief and loss at the passing away of a chief minister and a tall leader.”

The cause of crash was not known but the helicopter was found charred and broken into several pieces in a remote, hilly area. Initially, rescuers could not locate the crash site because of the rugged terrain and bad weather.

Dr. Reddy, a physician, was recently re-elected as chief minister of Andhra Pradesh. Dr. Reddy entered politics in 1978 and never lost an election. He also served four terms in Parliament.

Andhra Pradesh is infested with Maoist rebels and Dr. Reddy was credited with reducing the level of violence. There was no immediate indication that the helicopter had been attacked. link...