Tirupati: BJP leader, Samanchi Srinivas, found fault with the TTD for proceeding to file a defamation suit for Rs 200 crore against the Tirumala temple former chief priest Ramana Deekshithulu and YSRC leader, Vijaya Sai Reddy.
While addressing media persons in Tirupati on Tuesday, Mr Samanchi alleged that the TTD administration was wasting money obtained from the Srivari hundi in the form of offerings by devotees. “The TTD has spent an amount of '2,00,04,852 for filing a defamation suit against the former chief priest Ramana Deekshithulu and YSRC leader Vijaya Sai Reddy claiming damages of '100 crore from each of them. The TTD top brass has filed the suit to appease the Chief Minister,” he alleged. Pointing to the defamation value, Mr Samanchi asked how the TTD could expect a former priest to pay '100 crore and who would be accountable for the '2 crore spent on filing the case. “Will the top brass of the TTD pay the amount if they lose the case in the court?” he questioned.
Recalling the allegations made by the former chief priest and YSRC leader Vijaya Sai Reddy against the TTD and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu over the jewel scam and irregularities, Mr Samanchi alleged, “It is very clear that the jewels inside the temple have been looted by the TD chief. He is not only involved in the jewels scam but he also resorted to many irregularities in the TTD and looted the money of the Lord.”
It may be recalled that Ramana Deekshitulu made serious allegations of corruption and lack of commitment among TTD administrators in upholding the ethos and the sanctity of the Tirumala temple. He also raised suspicions over temple funds being diverted and some of the priceless ancient jewellery being misappropriated. Following the chief priest, YSRC leader Vijaya Sai Reddy also alleged that at the behest of the CM, the TTD top brass had dug up ‘potu’ (kitchen) inside the temple for hiding the treasure. He also levelled allegations that some of the jewels were taken abroad and were being auctioned in Switzerland and demanded that central agencies probe on the issue. Mr Vijaya Sai Reddy further stated that he would resign his Rajya Sabha membership in the 13th hour, if the Telangana police and the CBI did not find TTD ornaments after raids on the residences of N. Chandrababu Naidu in Hyderabad and Amaravati within 12 hours.
