TDP chief Palla slams Jagan for ‘denigrating’ Tirumala traditions; cites Parakamani episode as emblem of misrule* _— *Palla Srinivasa Rao*, State President, Telugu Desam Party_

.                      by Sharma K.V. Editor 
Visakhapatnam : Visakhapatnam Darpan news service: December 5:Telugu Desam Party State President Palla Srinivasa Rao launched a scathing attack on former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, accusing him of repeatedly invoking the sacred name of Lord Venkateswara of Tirumala to advance political falsehoods. A leader who “neither understands Sanatana Dharma nor the sanctity of Tirumala,” he said, has no moral standing to speak on matters of faith.

Describing Lord Venkateswara as the “living symbol of devotion for millions of Hindus,” Mr. Palla noted that every rupee placed in the temple hundi represents “the tears and faith of devotees.” To misuse or politicise such offerings, he said, amounted to sacrilege. While earlier Chief Ministers contributed to Tirumala’s development, he contended that the YSRCP tenure witnessed “not progress, but deliberate erosion of sanctity.”

Invoking the Parakamani case, he said it stood as a “textbook illustration of what happens when individuals facing theft allegations are given control over sacred institutions.” He mocked Mr. Jagan’s periodic media appearances, stating that his attempts to reaffirm political relevance had become a subject of public amusement. “Truth does not follow you. Even if woken from sleep, you would respond with a lie. There is no devotion in you, and no fear of dharma,” he said.

Mr. Palla alleged that even votive offerings—painfully saved and presented by devotees—became susceptible to misappropriation under the previous regime. Referring to the alleged Rs. 72,000 theft, the transfer of large properties, the suspicious death of a complainant, and the sequential deaths of witnesses in the Viveka murder case, he said these incidents collectively revealed “the modus operandi of the Jagan syndicate.” Theft of Rs. 11 or Rs. 11 crore, he added, remained theft before the law; defending a criminal, he said, was “an even greater crime.”

Turning to the adulterated ghee scandal at Tirumala, Mr. Palla termed it “a grave sin masquerading as corruption.” Using ghee “manufactured without even a drop of milk” for the revered laddu prasadam, he said, constituted a betrayal of devotees’ trust. Every stage of procurement—tendering, approval, and supply—occurred under YSRCP rule, he asserted, adding that the commencement of supplies on the day of Mr. Chandrababu Naidu’s swearing-in was “a calculated manoeuvre.”

“Your government itself sought a CBI probe. Why the sudden fear now? Why rush to court to block a vigilance inquiry? Is it because the real perpetrators behind the adulterated ghee network will be exposed?” he asked. The arrests made by the Supreme Court-appointed SIT, he said, were “only the first step in unravelling large-scale plunder.”

Accusing Mr. Jagan of ignorance regarding basic temple etiquette, Mr. Palla said a leader who “does not know that footwear cannot be taken into a temple” had no authority to lecture devotees on Tirumala’s traditions. Even the age-old practice of offering silk garments to the deity along with his consorts, he said, appeared unfamiliar to the former Chief Minister.

He criticised Mr. Jagan for referring to judges, senior IAS officers, and constitutional authorities in disparaging terms, thereby undermining institutional dignity. Allegations of phone-tapping of judges, intimidation of officials, and orchestrated campaigns against the judiciary, he said, reflected “a blatant disregard for the Constitution.”

Mr. Palla further alleged that Andhra Pradesh had slipped into becoming a “narcotics corridor” during YSRCP rule, with ganja cultivation flourishing and illicit liquor spreading like a public-health crisis. Organised crime, he said, had severely damaged the State’s national image.

In contrast, he credited Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and TDP General Secretary Nara Lokesh with methodically restoring the State’s credibility. Their efforts to rebuild a “New AP Brand” capable of attracting global investment, he said, stemmed from “clear vision and hard work.”

Highlighting the State Government’s flagship Mega Parent–Teacher Meeting 3.0 held across 45,000 government, aided, and unaided schools on Friday, Mr. Palla said the initiative had emerged as an important platform for strengthening student learning and parental engagement. The participation of the Chief Minister and Mr. Lokesh, he said, underscored the administration’s commitment to enhancing educational standards. Widespread parental involvement, he noted, had deepened public confidence in the Government’s education policies.