Ravindranath Faces TTD Scrutiny for Political Remarks in Tirumala

Tirupati: Former MLA and YSR Congress (YSRC) party leader Pochimareddy Ravindranath Reddy has come under scanner of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) for allegedly making political comments in Tirumala, in violation of the board’s resolution banning political speeches in the hill town.

Ravindranath Reddy, maternal uncle of YSRC chief and former chief minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, visited the Lord Venkateswara temple on Sunday. After completing darshan, he addressed the media outside the temple, making political allegations and remarks.

The TTD board of trustees had recently resolved to prohibit political speeches and allegations in Tirumala to safeguard sanctity of the hill temple. However, disregarding the resolution, Reddy criticised the ruling coalition and commented on political developments, including the Pulivendula ZPTC by-election.

He alleged that Telugu Desam-led alliance was indulging in irregularities and attempting to intimidate YSRC workers and Pulivendula residents. He claimed that crop yields had declined under the present government and charged that it had betrayed the people of Andhra Pradesh in the name of Super Six scheme.

The YSRC leader claimed that people of Pulivendula were ready to support Jagan Mohan’s party in the by-election and said such elections had not been seen in the country since Independence. He alleged that arrangements were being made to facilitate cross-village voting and reduce voter turnout through unlawful means. He also remarked that if Jagan Mohan had wished, N. Chandrababu Naidu and K. Pawan Kalyan would not have even filed their nominations in the 2024 elections.

The TTD vigilance and security department has taken note of the remarks and is reviewing them. Sources said TTD is likely to issue a show-cause notice to Ravindranath Reddy, asking him to explain why legal action should not be initiated for breaching the “no politics in Tirumala” policy adopted by the board.