BJP sees conspiracy to close Tirumala pathway

 KAKINADA: Bharatiya Janata Party AP media spokesperson Yenimireddy Malakondaiah on Sunday alleged that trust board members of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) are conspiring to close the pathway from Alipiri, which devotees use to climb and walk all the way to Tirumala for having the darshan of Lord Venkateswara.

Speaking to media here, he pointed out that TTD could easily take measures to save devotees who have to pass through some stretches of forests while climbing up the seven hills of Tirumala.

The BJP leader pointed out that Travancore Board has constructed fencing for devotees to cross the five hills of Sabarimala in Kerala without the fear of wild animals. The Travancore Board has also installed CCTV cameras to keep an eye on the pathway.

Malakondaiah pointed out that on lines of Sabarimala, TTD officials too can put up CCTV cameras and fence the 3,600 steps to Tirumala to save human beings as well as wild animals as per Wildlife Protection Act.

He alleged that lack of these is leading to many people smoking cigarettes and beedies as well as consuming gutka. Devotees have also complained that they find many anti-social elements consuming liquor, smoking ganja and playing cards along the pathway to Tirumala.

The BJP leader alleged that non-Hindu people are opening shops along the footpath. Some of them are consuming meat and other non-vegetarian food, which they are throwing in the hills, attracting wild animals.

Malakondaiah said a leopard had attacked a man in July and now killed an eight-year-old girl. But TTD executive officer Dharma Reddy is building a false narrative about the death of the girl. He underlined that the pathway has already been closed during the night time. Now, they are planning to close the footpath altogether.

“BJP will launch a struggle against the apathy of TTD board in providing safety to devotees along the pathway,” he added.