TD-JS Leaders’ Takeover of Tirumala’s Grama Sachivalayam Raises Concern

Tirupati: The Telugu Desam-led alliance has started flexing its muscles even before officially taking charge of the state.

Recently said supporters of the Telugu Desam and Jana Sena took control of the grama sachivalayam in Tirumala, the hill town known for its political neutrality and religious significance.

Previously under the sway of the YSRC, the Sachivalayam is now caught in a conflict between rival political interests.

The Tirumala hills, governed by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams, stand as one of Hinduism's most prominent pilgrimage sites, historically insulated from overt political involvement to safeguard its sanctity.

However, allegations were that the grama sachivalayam office had been under the influence of the YSRC affiliates, who allegedly engaged in party-related activities in this office.

Amid a sudden shift in the political dynamics and following the TD-JS-BJP alliance’s triumph in the Tirupati assembly polls, local leaders from TD and Jana Sena have gone on the offensive. They allegedly took control of the premises on Thursday.

They assert that their presence is necessary for effective local governance while they still honoured Tirumala's sacred character.

D. Srinivas Achari, a Hindu religious expert, expressed his concerns, stating that, "This unprecedented situation directly challenges the core spiritual values of Tirumala. The intrusion of political parties into a government office located in a sacred precinct could alter public perception and diminish the sanctity of this pilgrimage site."

Local YSRC leaders condemned the actions of the alliance leaders, labelling it a violation of apolitical spaces.

"It's an invasion of secular spaces by political forces. Allowing political activities dilutes Tirumala’s spiritual essence," a YSRC leader remarked.