Tirupati, March 22: YSRCP spokesperson and former TTD Chairman Bhumana Karunakar Reddy, sharply criticized Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, accusing him of exploiting Lord Venkateswara for political gain.
Speaking to media here on Saturday, Bhumana slammed Naidu for lacking faith in spirituality and sanctity, alleging he lied shamelessly in the deity’s presence, undermining Sanatan Dharma despite posing as a devotee. Bhumana attacked Naidu and Pawan Kalyan for falsely labeling the Srivani Trust corrupt while in opposition. He noted the trust, started under TDP, thrived under YSRCP, funding 3,600 temples nationwide. A vigilance probe after the coalition government took power found no irregularities, yet Naidu plans to continue the trust while adding another for temple construction—a move Bhumana called duplicitous. He also condemned Naidu’s comparison of Lord Venkateswara to Araku coffee as deplorable.
Bhumana challenged Naidu’s claim of resolving a Tirumala water crisis in 90 days by threatening officials with arrest, demanding names of those who suggested closing the temple. He accused Naidu of fabricating tales and criticized the appointment of TTD Executive Officer Shyamala Rao for a “cleansing,” only for Naidu to contradict Rao’s laddoo prasadam findings. Bhumana stressed that annadanam for all devotees and barring non-Hindus from temple work began under YS Rajasekhara Reddy, not Naidu, who falsely claims credit.
He highlighted TDP’s approval of Oberoi and Devalok hotel projects in Tirumala, later canceled due to sadhus’ protests, with blame wrongly shifted to YSRCP. Bhumana accused the current TTD EO of political bias, intimidating shopkeepers supporting YSRCP. He concluded by slamming Naidu’s plan to turn temples into tourist hubs, prioritizing VIP darshan over common devotees, who wait hours for darshan.
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