Tirupati: There is intense lobbying on, both at the centre and states’ levels, with AP Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy taking up the task of constituting a new board for Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), which manages the richest Hindu temple in the country, whose presiding deity is Lord Venkateswara.
When the term of previous 37-member board led by former MP Y. V. Subba Reddy ended on June 22 this year, the state government appointed a specified authority to manage the affairs of TTD, including some nominated trustees and special invitees.
Subsequently, the government started the process of reconstituting the trust board and once again appointed Subba Reddy as chairman last week. Trust board members have not yet been appointed though. As it is the AP Chief Minister who will have the final say in composition of the new board, his office is being beseeched with requests from various quarters.
Being a TTD board member is considered prestigious. This enables one rub shoulders with union ministers, top politicians, bureaucrats, business personalities and celebrities when they are on a visit of the hill shrine. Members also have the opportunity of visiting and having proximate darshan of Lord Venkateswara whenever they want. This is the reason why many high and mighty, like politicians, industrialists and celebrities, throw their hat into the ring for board membership.
Sources say a union minister is pushing the YSRC government for nomination of two party supporters, one each from AP and Telangana. There are speculations that TRS government, on its part, is backing a couple of names. Many aspirants from within YSRC are also in the fray.
It is to be seen how the Chief Minister deals with pulls, pressures and requests from his close circles and big wigs while nominating the new members. He is expected to take a final call on constitution of the board next week, according to sources.
