NDA leaders see ‘conspiracy' to unseat alliance government in Andhra Pradesh
Several leaders of the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government and members of the TTD Trust Board have questioned the series of unsavoury incidents in the recent past, and suspect them to be the handiwork of the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) in a bid to unseat the alliance government.
The apparent trigger was the incident on Friday night, when a devotee in the Sarvadarshan queue line in Tirumala raised slogans against the TTD for 'neglecting the interests of the pilgrims' and causing them hardship during their Tirumala visit.
He said the TTD officials had failed to provide them food and kept them waiting outside the queue lines for several hours.
The video of the incident was shot and made viral on social media platforms, causing embarrassment to the TTD as well as the State government.
However, when the TTD reached out to the devotee and tried to offer him solace, rather surprisingly, he retracted from the allegation and gave an 'all is well' statement.
Growing suspicious about the intent, the TTD management issued a stern warning to the public not to make baseless allegations against the institution, as it would affect the sentiments of Hindu devotees across the world.
Board member and BJP State spokesperson G. Bhanuprakash Reddy submitted a letter to the Director-General of Police, complaining about the 'conspiracies' of the YSRCP leaders to unseat the NDA Government.
He charged the leaders of unleashing a false propaganda, supported by deliberate misleading comments on its allied media, to create confusion among the public.
Mr. Reddy pointed to the instances of alleged cow deaths at the TTD-run dairy farm, SV Gosamrakshanasala, and the stray incident involving a Muslim cab driver performing 'namaz' in Tirumala, which were deliberately used to show the TTD administration and the NDA government in poor light.
He sought a thorough probe and harsh punishment of the guilty for playing with the sentiments of devotees.
Lokesh responds
In his post on X, Minister for HRD N. Lokesh responded on the 'negative campaign' by the opposition party. He said the person raising slogans against the TTD was identified as YSRCP activist Baddili Atcha Rao of Kakinada rural, and expressed regret over the miscreants in the opposition party choosing Tirumala for their 'malicious campaign' against the government.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
20 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Muslim Personal Law Board will not make Waqf Act an election issue but will take a call to intensify protests
The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has been organising demonstrations to protest against the Waqf Amendment Act, 2025 in several parts of the country, including in Hyderabad, for several weeks. The Board has sought to include women, and people belonging to other faiths in the protests, even as its president Maulana Khalid Saifullah Rahmani, in an exclusive interview with Syed Mohammed, asserts that their struggle is not against Hindus, but against the government which is trying to wrest lands and properties from the control of Muslims. Edited excerpts from an interview: Q: What are your key contentions against the Waqf Amendment Act, 2025? It is our belief that the law was brought to grab the properties of Muslims. The law makes waqf properties vulnerable. The concept of waqf by user —meaning properties that have been historically used as mosques, dargahs, graveyards or madrasas — that are being used for a specific purpose, even if no documents are available, they will be considered waqf. Religious structures often predate documentation. For example, Delhi's Jama Masjid and Hyderabad's Mecca Masjid were built centuries ago. If masjid committees are now expected to produce ownership documents, it sets an impossible standard. As regards claims by the government, we believe they have a habit of lying. They can claim any land parcel. Most waqf cases are against the government. So, all waqf cases that are against the government will become disputed. Similarly, disputes were created over other Muslim places of worship, and to create them one does not need evidence. Second, the amendment says that any waqf property under the custody of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) will no longer be considered waqf. Many historic mosques that serve both religious and public, as sites of tourism, interests may now function only at the government's discretion, depending on whether and at what frequency they permit namaz (prayers). Thirdly, the law seeks to dilute protection under the law of limitation. Thousands of acres will stand risk of exclusion from waqf (due to adverse possession). Many land parcels are in unauthorised possession of the government, of Hindus and even Muslims. Given the BJP's usual firmness in passing laws, how do you plan to engage the public? Demonstrations such as 'lights off' and 'human chain' were largely symbolic. Will future protests take a different form? It's true that the BJP rarely backtracks. It believes in dictatorship. It does not listen to the public. As seen with the farm laws, these were withdrawn after several farmers died. The AIMPLB's protests will be within the bounds of law. They will be peaceful. Our fight is not against our Hindu brothers but against this government. If the government remains indifferent, our working committee will decide the next course. Whether it is courting arrest, a jail bharo movement, or peaceful roadblocks. We're encouraged by the support of many Hindu brothers, and civil rights groups who stand with us. Q: The BJP claims this law will ensure transparency and empower Muslim women. How do you respond to these claims? We say that let there be a public debate. Let the Prime Minister or Home Minister attend. We'll welcome them. If that's not possible, send the Law or Minority Affairs Minister to sit with an AIMPLB delegation. Let them explain how this law benefits Muslims, women, or Pasmandas. They won't be able to. They claim Pasmandas are being denied rights. Are they not praying in masjids, which are waqf? In Islam, all Muslims are equal. Q: But caste-based discrimination among Muslims, as is the case with Pasmandas, has been studied and documented. Those who are victims of discrimination know what they've been through. Yes, there are two aspects — economic and social. Economically, Muslims are among the most backward, as various government-appointed commissions have found. Socially, some refer to Ashraf, Ajlaf, and Arzal. But these words are not found in any Islamic texts on jurisprudence. In Islam, a Syed girl can marry a non-Syed man, and no aalim will declare the nikah invalid. If the imam of a masjid is an Ansari, whom some may look down upon, but we do not, a Syed will still pray behind him. It is possible that these negative practices have entered the Muslim community on account of shared experiences, or influences from others. But Islam rejects caste. We look at it as a social evil. Q: The government has contended in courts of law, including in the case of waqf, that of 'essential religious' practice. The government is presenting this in a wrong manner. Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) should not be interpreted by the government. The opinion of those who are experts of fiqh should be taken. Essential religious practice encompasses all that is proved by Quran and hadith (tradition of Prophet Muhammad). What ramification will Act have, especially when it comes to States that are soon going for elections as is the case with Bihar? AIMPLB does not have anything to do with politics. We neither support, or oppose any party. We will not make this an election issue.. As regards one party supporting (the then Bill), or another opposing it, it is unfortunate many political leaders do not have a conscience. The AIMPLB has stressed on unity among faiths as regards demonstrations, and called upon varied groups to fight against the Act. If you see, a Jain temple was demolished recently in Mumbai. Secondly Buddhists in Bodh Gaya have been demonstrating. They want members of their own faiths in the management. The problem will exacerbate. It began with minorities, including Jains, Buddhists, and Sikhs. In fact, I am certain that it will eventually affect Hindus as well.
India Today
32 minutes ago
- India Today
Betrayal: BJP blasts Trinamool for demolition of Abanindranath Tagore's house
Calling it an attack on the "history, heritage and Hindu cultural identity", the BJP has slammed the ruling Trinamool Congress over the demolition of the residence of celebrated 20th century painter Abanindranath Tagore in Santiniketan by acting against a civic body order. Abanindranath was the nephew of legendary poet Rabindranath Tagore."The house of Abanindranath Thakur - Rabindranath's nephew and a towering figure in Indian art - is being demolished in Santiniketan. Let that sink in. Abanindranath, the second Acharya of Visva Bharati, the man who gave us the iconic painting of Bharat Mata, and helped define the visual identity of our national spirit - is being reduced to rubble in the name of so-called development," BJP IT cell chief and Bengal co-incharge Amit Malviya posted on both Hindus and their most revered cultural icon, Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, find themselves under siege — not just in Bangladesh, but in West Bengal is a betrayal of the very purpose for which Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee ensured the creation of West Bengal Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) June 3, 2025advertisement"His son, Alokendranath Thakur, had purchased that house in Santiniketan, where the great artist himself lived. The area even came to be known as 'Abanpalli' in his honour. But today, his legacy is being erased - disrespected and destroyed. This is not just an attack on a structure. It is an attack on history, heritage, and Hindu cultural identity," he added. The Bolpur Municipal Corporation had issued an order not to demolish the historic structure, but the local administration still went ahead. The house was built by Alokendranath Tagore, son of Abanindranath, who stayed there for a few the property was sold by the Tagore family. The property to whom it was sold tried to demolish it a few months back. But the Bolpur administration stayed the demolition. However, turning a blind eye to the civic body's order, the house was demolished on receiving the information about the demolition, the municipal corporation tried to intervene, but the damage had been done by that the BJP is in an attacking mode, accusing the Mamata Banerjee government of disrespecting history and the state's cultural legacy."Today, both Hindus and their most revered cultural icon, Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, find themselves under siege — not just in Bangladesh, but in West Bengal itself. This is a betrayal of the very purpose for which Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee ensured the creation of West Bengal - as a homeland for Hindu Bengalis, to preserve their identity, culture, and heritage. And yet, in Mamata Banerjee's West Bengal, we witness an unforgivable act," Malviya continued his tirade. IN THIS STORY#West Bengal
Time of India
37 minutes ago
- Time of India
‘Is it 1 nation, 1 husband scheme?': Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann's sindoor dig sparks BJP outrage
Chandigarh: chief minister on Tuesday accused the of turning "sindoor" (vermilion) into a joke and asked if it was a "one nation, one husband" scheme, eliciting a sharp reaction from the BJP, which accused the AAP leader of "mocking" . Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Replying to a question about the Ludhiana West assembly seat byelection, Mann said BJP was seeking votes in the name of Operation Sindoor. "These people have turned 'sindoor' into a joke. They are sending sindoor to every home. If it comes to your house, will you apply 'sindoor' in (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi's name? Is this a 'one nation, one husband' scheme?" Mann said. Mann was briefing media after a meeting of the state cabinet. Later, Mann added in a press statement that the BJP's Operation Sindoor tactic wouldn't sway voters, as people wouldn't be fooled by such moves. He called these actions mere "theatrics" that the citizens of the state and country would never fall for. Mann said it was ironic the BJP and Centre were "sending sindoor to every household without any logical reason". Punjab BJP spokesperson Pritpal Singh Baliawal termed the remark shameful. In a post on X, he accused Mann of mocking Operation Sindoor. "There is no BJP activity of sending sindoor to every household. The name Operation Sindoor was used because terrorists were killing Hindus after checking their religion — sindoor was a marker they used to identify women. This operation was about terrorism, martyrdom, and the protection of Indian lives. But how would Bhagwant Mann, a man with zero sensitivity, understand that?" he said. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Union minister of state Ravneet Bittu demanded an unconditional apology from Mann and described his remarks as "crass". "I never expected Mann to stoop so low by mocking the widows of Pahalgam using the disgraceful phrase 'one nation, one husband'," he said. AAP spokesperson Neel Garg defended Mann, saying the right to sindoor belonged only to a husband and not a political party. "BJP says it will distribute sindoor to every home. I ask: does the BJP now have a right even over a woman's sindoor? Is this the BJP's idea of respect to women? In Hindu culture, sindoor is a symbol of affection, dedication, and marital bliss, not a political gimmick. But the BJP has turned even this into a PR event. A woman's sindoor is her dignity, not a plea for votes. Sindoor is given only by her husband, not by the BJP," he added. BJP Ludhiana West candidate Jiwan Gupta is in a four-way contest in the bypoll and faces AAP's Sanjeev Arora, Congress' Bharat Bhushan Ashu, and Shiromani Akali Dal's Parupkar Singh Ghumman. Appeal for border areas Mann said during a recent meeting of NITI Aayog, he asked the Centre to set up colleges and industries in border areas. He said it was imperative to give a major push to the development of border districts of the state that lagged due to several reasons. He added he also flagged the issue of problems being faced by the farmers of the state having their land between the international border and the fence. 'Locals have right to be upset' Replying to a question about residents of Bhai Bakhtaur village in Bathinda district putting up a poster that declared their village was sale, Mann said locals had a right to be upset. "We launched a massive anti-drug campaign. In between, there was tension at the border and Centre's autocratic directives on the BBMB. There is no patronage to those selling drugs, unlike the previous practice of ministers supporting the drug trade," he said. 'Paddy sowing on, can't debate' Asked about Kisan Mazdoor Sangarash Committee (KMSC) president Sarvan Singh Pandher expressing readiness for a meeting with the state govt, CM Mann responded, "Right now, I am more concerned about agriculture as paddy sowing season just began." He added, "For them, the priority might be to hold debates... I held meetings for over seven hours with them in the past." Call for water pact review Mann stated that due to frequent changes in water levels, every water agreement should be reviewed every 25 years. He asserted that Punjab had no spare water to share with other states, vowing that "even a single drop of water will not be given to anyone". Responding to a question if Ferozepur farmers were receiving water diverted from Pakistan, Mann said the area wasn't getting water from Hussainiwala previously anyway, as "that water only goes to Rajasthan feeder". He clarified that the Centre only stopped water to Pakistan from the Sind and Chenab rivers, adding: "If they give it to us, we will distribute it."
