BJP Shares Video Alleging Rs 100 Crore Tirumala Temple 'Loot' During YSRCP Rule

NEW DELHI: The political landscape in Andhra Pradesh has been rocked by fresh allegations of corruption, this time involving the sacred Tirumala temple. Nara Lokesh, a leader of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and MLA, has accused the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) government, led by YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, of stealing over Rs 100 crore from the parakamani (donation box) of the Tirumala temple.

Lokesh shared purported CCTV footage on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday, claiming it shows large-scale misappropriation of Lord Venkateswara’s offerings. “YCP thieves have looted the sacred property of Lord Venkateswara. YCP leaders are behind the ‘hundred crore Parakamani theft’. During Jagan’s five-year rule, corruption reigned supreme. Anarchy ran rampant. Jagan turned Andhra Pradesh into a haven for thieves, looters, and mafia dons,” Lokesh said in his post.

The TDP leader further accused former Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Chairman Bhumana Karunakar Reddy of facilitating the scam. He claimed that “shares of the loot” reached Tadepalli Palace, the residence of then Chief Minister Jagan. TTD is the official custodian of Sri Venkateswara temple in Tirupati, which is the richest Hindu shrine in the world.

Lokesh alleged that the stolen funds were diverted into real estate and attempts were made to “settle” the matter in a Lok Adalat. “With the backing of power, Jagan’s gang committed every possible sacrilege against Lord Venkateswara,” he added. “The sins of Jagan’s gang, the former rulers who looted the temple and its hundi, have now come to fruition. The Parakamani videos have surfaced today. Tomorrow, the accused themselves will reveal the full list of YCP’s sins,” he further said.

BJP leader Bhanuprakash Reddy also reshared the video posted by Lokesh, amplifying the allegations. In 2024, the TTD faced a separate controversy after lab reports found that the ghee used in its laddu prasadam contained adulterated animal fats. This added to the growing list of controversies surrounding the temple's management.

The allegations have sparked widespread outrage and calls for a thorough investigation. The TTD and the YSRCP have yet to respond to these claims, but the political implications are significant. If the allegations are proven true, it could have far-reaching consequences for the YSRCP government and its reputation.

The Tirumala temple, dedicated to Lord Venkateswara, is one of the most visited and wealthiest religious institutions in the world. The temple's offerings and donations are managed by the TTD, a statutory body responsible for the administration and management of the temple. The integrity of this institution is of paramount importance to millions of devotees and the broader community in Andhra Pradesh and beyond.

As the investigation unfolds, the political landscape in Andhra Pradesh remains tense, with opposition parties and activists demanding accountability and transparency in the management of the temple's funds.