Raghavendra Rao sacrifices his beard; prays for AP special status

Tirupati: The comments by film director and former TTD board member, Mr K. Raghavendra Rao, is raising questions regarding the TTD board. Mr Raghavendra Rao has offered his beard to Lord Venkateswara in Tirumala on Monday.

Speaking to the media, Mr Raghavendra Rao said, “I have wished for the Special Category Status for the state and offered my beard to Lo-rd Venkateswara. The people will hear good news soon regarding the same. The PM, Modi, should ann-ounce the Special Cate-gory Status as he promised during the election campaign.”

When the mediapersons asked Mr Raghavendra Rao regarding an issue in TTD, he said, “I will address other issues when I come for the darshan after the new board for TTD is announced.”

These statements have raised some questions in political and TTD circles. Usually a person can be a board member for only two terms, whereas Mr Raghavendra Rao has completed his two terms as a board member. 

His words indicate that there might be changes in the existing rules. He had also met former chairman of the TTD board, Mr Chadalavada Krishnamoorthi, which gave a strong support to the speculations.

The news was spread that the TTD board members will be announced by this week and it is expected that Putta Sudhakar Yadav, relative of state finance minister Mr  Yanamala Ramakris-hnudu, is likely to find a position on the board. 

Some sources said that Mr Raghavendra Rao will be a trust board chairman for the SVBC channel.