Nara Lokesh Accuses YSRCP of Stealing Tirumala Temple Wealth
VIJAYAWADA: Minister for HRD and IT Nara Lokesh has accused YSRCP leaders of being involved in the theft of the wealth of Tirumala Sri Venkateshwara Swamy Temple. According to Lokesh, the role of YSRCP leaders became evident after videos related to the theft in the Tirumala Parakamani surfaced.
“The State witnessed corruption and anarchy during the five-year regime of YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, who turned Andhra Pradesh into a haven for thieves, looters, and mafia dons. The Jagan gang plundered mines, lands, forests, and all resources, exploiting the people, and did not even spare the sacred property of Lord Venkateswara in Tirumala,” Lokesh posted on X on Saturday.
Lokesh alleged that thieves infiltrated the Tirumala Parakamani with the support of the Tadepalli Palace and the then-TTD chairman, Bhumana Karunakar Reddy. “They looted crores worth of property, which was invested in real estate. Shares of this loot reportedly flowed from Bhumana in Tirupati to Tadepalli Palace. Offerings placed in the hundi by devotees worldwide, worth hundreds of crores, were stolen by Ravikumar while Bhumana Karunakar Reddy was Chairman. His associates even tried to settle the case in a Lok Adalat with the backing of power,” he added.
Lokesh further claimed that the Jagan gang adulterated sacred laddus, degraded Anna Prasadam, and sold Tirumala darshan tickets. He recalled that former Chief Minister Naidu had pleaded with Jagan at the time to “not meddle with the Seven Hills or commit offences against the Lord,” but Jagan did not listen.
The allegations have sparked a heated debate in the state, with many supporters and critics of both parties weighing in. The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has also been under scrutiny, with calls for a thorough investigation into the alleged theft and misuse of temple funds.
The controversy highlights the ongoing political tensions in Andhra Pradesh, where the opposition has been vocal about the perceived mismanagement and corruption under the YSRCP government. The TTD, one of the richest religious institutions in the world, manages the affairs of the Tirumala Sri Venkateshwara Swamy Temple and other important shrines, making it a significant focus for political scrutiny and public interest.
As the situation unfolds, political analysts and legal experts are closely watching the developments to see how the allegations will impact the political landscape of Andhra Pradesh.
