Gajapati Raju cries protocol breach; Asks for records on state of affairs at Mansas

Visakhapatnam: Former central minister and TDP politburo member P. Ashok Gajapati Raju on Thursday alleged that the officials of Mansas (Maharaja Alak Narayana Society of Arts and Science) and Simhachalam temple violated protocol when he visited the temple after assuming the charge of Mansas at Vizianagaram. The High Court reinstated him as the trustee chairperson of both the trusts setting aside the appointment of his niece P. Sanchaita Gajapati Raju by the state government.

After taking charge at Mansas, Raju said executive officer (EO) D. Venkateswara Rao and correspondent of the trust K.V.L. Rao were not present, which was a basic violation of the protocol. “The government purposefully offended me. The officials rejected my donation for making the idols and did not invite me for the consecration of Lord Rama idols at Ramateertham,’’ he said.

Raju asked the EO to explain the activities at the trust over the last one year as also all details on permissions given for sand extraction in Kotipalli in East Godavari district. He directed the disbursement of salaries to the Mansas and provide the details and bills regarding various purchases and procurements which exceeded '5 lakh during the last one year.

Raju was also sore that Simhachalam temple EO M.V. Suryakala and the commissioner of endowments, Padala Arjuna Rao, did not bother to call on him though it was part of the protocol.

The temple priests did not tie the headgear as was the custom in respect of important dignitaries, particularly hereditary trustees and chairman.

“Due to the virus scare, the priests avoided tying headgear and EO and Commissioner were busy discussing land issues for which a meeting was held for over hours,’’ said an official of the temple.