Nellore: YSR Congress Party leader and former minister Kakani Govardhan Reddy has accused former Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu of using the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) as a political platform since the coalition government came to power. He voiced his concerns over the degradation of the sanctity of Tirumala, emphasizing that Naidu has been manipulating the sentiments of devotees for his political gains.
During a recent press conference, Kakani expressed his frustration over the former chief minister’s unfounded allegations, claiming they are not only baseless but also detrimental to the emotions of Lord Venkateswara’s devotees. “Chandrababu is playing political games with the sentiments of the devotees, which is unacceptable,” he stated firmly.
Kakani also highlighted several incidents that have raised eyebrows, including the controversial sale of laddu offerings and the infamous BR Naidu case. He mentioned that there have been numerous occurrences that suggest a manipulation of the religious institution for personal gain. He pointed out the ongoing investigation into the Parakamani case, where a key suspect, Penchalayya, was allegedly caught in connection with a massive gold theft in 2025, but was granted bail shortly thereafter.
“In a similar case, Ravi Kumar, another accused, even transferred assets to the temple as part of a plea deal. After the coalition government took charge, it seemed like attempts were being made to water down the investigations,” he remarked. Kakani demanded transparency and accountability, insisting that the public deserves to know the truth about the extent of the thefts that have occurred at the temple.
He further criticized the security measures in place at the temple, stating, “The failure of the security system is glaringly obvious. We must ask ourselves, who is really behind Penchalayya? Are we confident that our security is effective?” He expressed concern over the gold stolen from the temple, alleging that it has been converted and sold in corporate stores, and alarmingly, that loans were taken out against the temple’s jewelry in banks.
Kakani concluded his remarks by stressing the need for a thorough investigation into the thefts and a reevaluation of the temple’s management. He called upon the authorities to take immediate action and not let the culprits escape justice. “The faith of millions is at stake, and we cannot allow political games to undermine the sanctity of such an esteemed institution,” he urged, emphasizing the importance of protecting the integrity of the Tirumala temple and its treasures.
