Telugu Desam failed to protect temple lands: YSRC

Vijayawada: YSR Congress has said that there has been no protection for temple lands, temple property and places of worship under AP Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s government and there were many lacunae in the TTD gold transport case that came to light recently.

Speaking to reporters here on Wednesday, party general secretary and Rajya Sabha Member V. Vijaya Sai Reddy said: “There was a detour of the convoy that was carrying the gold and it was not properly documented, there was no police protection and there has been a pre-planned programme in shifting the gold. There is no proper explanation as to why proper police security was not provided to the van. Mr Naidu, who has been reviewing various departments, though he is only a caretaker Chief Minister, surprisingly did not react on the issue.”

“There has been lot of irregularities in the TTD and we demand an inquiry on the transport of the gold, which should be made public. There has been nepotism in the appointments to top positions of TTD and the loot has been going on systematically. In the first place, chief priest Ramana Deekshitulu was set aside and someone from the north was brought in as the EO,” he said.

“Finance minister’s kin was appointed to the high office and the irregularities continued,” Mr Reddy said.

“Earlier, the golden crowns of Govindaraja Swamy Temple was looted and nothing has been forthcoming and efforts were made to shield the main culprits and make some small fry into scapegoats. The Investigation Officers (IOs) are aware of the houses where the crowns are hidden and where to search, but they are silent,” he added.

“There was a controversy over the excavations in Tirumala and the Naidu Government has been maintaining secrecy. There has been no protection to temples and places of worship under TD rule. Many Temples, Churches and Mosques were demolished with the promise to rebuild them but the promise was not fulfilled,” Mr Reddy said.

Sadavarthi temple lands were sold at throw away price and the need to sell them was not mentioned anywhere, he said.

“There are more skeletons that would tumble from the cupboard in the days to come on the corrupt deeds of the TD Government,” Mr Reddy said. Replying to a question, he said that they were only complaining as and when there were serious violations of the Model Code of Conduct by the TD leaders and the Chief Minister and will continue to do so.