Tirumala, August 27: The differences between Tirumala Tiurupati Devasthanams (TTD) Board chairman DK Audikesavulu Naidu and Tirupati Urban Development Authority (TUDA) chairman Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy, who is an ex-officio member of the TTD Board, is snowballing into a major controversy, with both of them levelling serious allegations against each other. As if this were not enough, TTD Officer on Special Duty (OSD) Seshadri, also known as Dollar Seshadri, broke down infront of media saying that his name has been unnecessarily dragged into the Dollar and jewellary scam.
The differences between Naidu and Reddy came to fore, when the former wrote to TTD Executive Officer IYR Krishna Rao to inquire into TTD extending help and service to Sri Venkateswara Temple, a private temple in Tirupati, maintained by Bhaskar Reddy. The decision to extend help to the private Venkateswara temple was taken by the former Board at the request of Bhaskar Reddy as a special case.
Accordingly, a pushkarini was constructed at a cost of Rs 58 lakh from the TTD funds and Rs 12 lakh worth flowers were being sent to the temple every year.
The Dharma Pracharaka Parishad (DPP) and Annamacharya project were also asked to arrange for special programme at the temple on every Saturday and also Melchat Vastram be presented to the temple like other sub-temples of the TTD.
During his visit to Tiruchanoor temple, the TTD chairman found that Soundar Rajan temple, subtemple of Sri Padmavati Temple was not getting flowers while a private temple was getting the help.
He immediately wrote a letter to the TTD EO to table the issue during the Board meeting.
Piqued by the TTD Chairman’s letter, Bhaskar Reddy sent a letter to TTD EO, accusing the Chairman of misusing TTD funds in 16 different issues, which included using TTD funds for renovation of Srinivasam Guest House, donated to TTD by the chairman and using it for his personal purpose. The Exofficio member also claimed that the TTD Chairman had used his influence for getting seva tickets for his people and to get Ishatakappali honour to different pettadipatis of his choice against the laid down guidelines.
Taking exception to Bhaskar Reddy’s accusations, Audikesavulu said that the the ex-officio member got himself separate rooms in Annamaiah Bhavan in Tirumala and charged him with giving unchecked number of seva tickets.
Meanwhile, TTD Officer on Special Duty (temples) Seshadri, popular as Dollar Seshadri, condemned the reports in media projecting him as accused in the Dollar scam.
Addressing a media conference here today, he said that he has been falsely implicated by media as the accused in missing dollars case, while the CID already had the custody of the main accused, who had even confessed to committing the crime and the investigation was in progress.
“I have no one but Lord Venkateswara and He is my family. For 32 years, I had served Him and the temple selflessly and dedicated manner. It hurts deeply, when false accusations and allegations are made against me. Today, I came before you, as sentiments of lakhs of devotees are being hurt with false news about the jewels of the Lord is being given,’’ he said.
“Those who knew nothing of the temple or had even not seen it, claim to be all knowing and are making accusations. Jewels of the Lord are safe and safe,’’ he said and even denied of doing anything directly with jewels, as he is only an assistant maintaining records, that too in front of his higher officials Peishkar and Deputy Executive Officer.
In 1996, when the Mirasidhar system was abolished, the jewels with Archakas were also taken over by the TTD and from then on double key system came into existence.
“One key is with Dy EO and other with Peishkar. As I was permitted to enter the sanctum sanctorium, I was ordered to assist.
Only during the transaction in presence of every one did I register the items taken out of treasury for adorning the Lord and the same process was adopted, while they were returned to the safe custody,’’ he said.
On missing dollars, he said, “I was the first one to inform the then Dy EO Prabhakar Reddy of the missing dollars, but unfortunately I have been framed as one of the accused in the case,’’ he said. A visibly upset Seshadri, broke down before media and said that he was ready for any test and at any time.
He reiterated that he was innocent on all counts.
–Agencies