Hyderabad, June 27: Senior BJP leader Bandaru Dattatreya has demanded that chief minister K Rosaiah convene a review meeting on the irregularities that are taking place in Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD).
Addressing a press conference here today, he expressed concern over the series of controversies rocking the TTD. “An internal power tussle is on in the TTD, which is hurting the sentiments of devotees,” he said, stressing the need for taking concrete measures to end it. Finding fault with the TTD for leaving common pilgrims stranded in the queues by extending the VIP break time for liquor baron Vijay Mallya, he said the TTD should reduce the break darshan timing for hasslefree darshan.He demanded that the TTD remove all the employees involved in the Arjita Seva ticket scam. The menace of middlemen on the hill shrine should be eradicated, he said.
The BJP leader said Mathadhipathis and Peethadhipathis should be appointed members of the TTD Trust Board instead of politicians to run the temple administration on sound lines.
The TTD should reconsider Ananda Nilayam Anantha Swarnamayam project. Golla Mandapam should not be demolished and the 1,000pillar mandapam be reconstructed respecting the sentiments of devotees, he said. Welcoming TTD’s special arrangements for pilgrims trekking to hill shrine, he sought more such pilgrimfriendly initiatives from the Devasthanams. There are about 30,000 temples in the State. A majority of the temples are in ruins. The government should appoint a technical committee to study the strength of temple structures and take up renovation, he said.
Predicting the outcome of byelections in Telangana, he said all the candidates, who resigned for the cause of separate State would win. The ruling Congress and the opposition TDP would not win even a single seat, he added. Coming down heavily on the Congressled UPA Government for increasing the petro prices, he said “It is taking `antipoor’ decisions, while claiming that it is propoor.”
BJP leaders Santha Reddy, Pushpalatha and others were also present.
–Agencies–