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The Hindu
19-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
TTD Trust Board member demands vigilance probe into ‘Tulabharam scam' in Tirumala during YSRCP government
The BJP State spokesperson and a member of the TTD Trust Board G. Bhanuprakash Reddy has demanded a vigilance probe into what he termed as 'Tulabharam scam' at the abode of Lord Venkateswara during the erstwhile YSR Congress Party government. Mr. Bhanuprakash Reddy formally addressed the complaint to Director-General of Police (Vigilance and Enforcement) and submitted the same to the Superintendent of Police (V&E), Tirupati, on Monday. Tulabharam is a form of fulfilment of vow, where the devotees weigh themselves against banana, rice, jaggery, coins etc., and submit the same as an offering to Lord Venkateswara. Alternately, they pay an equivalent amount worth the offering. In the complaint, he said that the amount offered by the devotees towards 'Tulabharam' had not reached the TTD exchequer during 2019-2024. His other charge was that an employee hired on contract basis was deployed to man the point, instead of a regular employee placed in the past. 'During the said period, the staff working at the Tulabharam had misappropriated lakhs of rupees daily by diverting the donated amount for their personal use', he said in the complaint. Further, he said that the modus operandi was to remit a smaller amount in the bank to avoid suspicion and siphon off the remaining funds. 'This is a form of deceiving the devotees, which amounts to criminal breach of trust', he told the media later. Immediately after coming to power in 2024, the NDA government had initiated vigilance probe into several cases of alleged irregularities, but 'Tulabharam' remained out of the department's radar, Mr. Bhanuprakash observed. He suspected the hands of influential persons in the scam, as the scores of complaints received from the devotees during the previous regime had been relegated to the dustbin.


The Hindu
28-04-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
CM loses temper as BJP worker shouts ‘go to Pakistan'
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's speech during the 'Save Constitution, Save Nation' rally in Belagavi was disrupted by some BJP activists who shouted slogans against him. One activist shouted slogans asking Mr. Siddaramaiah to 'go to Pakistan.' The activist was frisked away by the police, but disrupted the rally for a few minutes during the Chief Minister's speech. Mr. Siddaramaiah got disturbed by this and summoned the police to come to the stage. Narayan Baramani, additional SP, Dharwad, who was posted near the stage, was pulled up by the Chief Minister. An irritated Chief Minister even raised his hand and Mr. Baramani took a step back. He resumed his speech after senior Ministers like H.K. Patil and M.B. Patil, and Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala pacified him. Soon after, taking to twitter, BJP State president B.Y. Vijayendra described the woman who had shouted the slogan as 'a brave patriot' and took exception to the Chief Minister being rude to a police officer in uniform.


The Hindu
27-04-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
BJP leaders attack Siddaramaiah for his statement on war
A day after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said what is needed is 'not war' against Pakistan but strict measures to strengthen the security in Jammu and Kashmir, the BJP leaders slammed him for being insensitive in the light of Pahalgam massacre in which 26 persons were killed. 'Mr. Siddaramaiah has become famous in Pakistan overnight with his childish statement. Congratulations to you. It will not be surprising if Pakistan bestows its highest civilian award Nishan e Pakistan upon you in future. It is not right to behave like a puppet of an enemy nation when the clouds of war have covered the border. It is unfortunate that people like you are in public life,' Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly R. Ashok said on Sunday. Alleging that the people of Karnataka know Mr. Siddaramaiah's love for minorities, BJP State president B.Y. Vijayendra said any decision to be taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi would be done after consulting all Chief Ministers. 'Meanwhile, it is not appropriate to say that a war against Pakistan is not needed. It is an unpardonable crime. No one had expected this from Mr. Siddaramaiah,' he said. Condemning the statement, former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa said the Chief Minister has to apologise for his insensitive statement that has come at a critical time.


New Indian Express
21-04-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
TDP celebrates CM Naidu's 75th birthday with social service, tributes; PM, leaders extend greetings
VIJAYAWADA: The TDP rank and file across Andhra Pradesh celebrated the 75th birthday of party supremo and Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu with grandeur on Sunday. Celebrations included a variety of events, from cutting cakes weighing 75 kg to organising blood donation camps and Annadanam (food distribution) programme, reflecting the party's commitment to social service. Naidu, currently on a brief vacation abroad with his family, took a well-deserved break from his hectic schedule over the past several months. At the TDP central office, party leaders organised celebrations and social service activities to honour their supremo. Naidu's son, IT Minister Nara Lokesh, joined his father abroad and extended his birthday wishes via X, expressing admiration for his father's able leadership. Several ministers, including K Atchannaidu, Nimmala Rama Naidu, Gottipati Ravi Kumar, P Narayana, Anam Ramanarayana Reddy, Kolusu Parthasarathy, BC Janardhan Reddy, Anagani Satya Prasad, and M Ramprasad Reddy, conveyed their greetings through social media. MPs such as K Rammohan Naidu and Kesineni Sivanath, along with MLAs Sujana Chowdary and others, also wished the TDP chief on the occasion. Prominent leaders from other parties, including BJP State chief D Purandeswari, YSRCP chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, and APCC chief YS Sharmila, joined in extending their greetings to Naidu. Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to X to wish Naidu, stating, 'Best wishes to my good friend and Andhra Pradesh CM Shri N Chandrababu Naidu Garu. It is commendable how he is tirelessly working for the development of AP, with a focus on futuristic sectors. Praying for his long and healthy life.' Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan also shared a heartfelt message on X, describing Naidu as a visionary leader capable of reviving the State that had faced economic decline. 'The vision and relentless enthusiasm shown by Shri Chandrababu Garu, who is serving as Chief Minister for the fourth time, are truly remarkable,' Pawan Kalyan wrote, wishing Naidu a long and happy life. In his message on X, Naidu expressed deep gratitude to the people for their unwavering support throughout his 47-year political journey. Reflecting on his four terms as Chief Minister, he termed the opportunity to serve a rare privilege, and reaffirmed his dedication to the progress of the Telugu community and Andhra Pradesh. Naidu emphasised his renewed commitment to fulfil the aspirations of the people, focusing on transforming the State into a global hub for innovation by 2047 through his Swarna Andhra-2047 Vision, which was unveiled in the Legislative Assembly on November 22, 2024. This vision is anchored on 10 principles, including zero poverty, employment generation, and water security. He also highlighted the P4 (Public-Private-People-Partnership) initiative, launched on March 30, 2025, aimed at eradicating poverty by 2047. Building on the success of his earlier Janmabhoomi programme, the P4 initiative seeks to uplift underprivileged families into 'Golden Families' by fostering inclusive growth through contributions from affluent individuals, including NRIs. He lauded the Telugu diaspora's global achievements, noting their high per capita income, and urged collective action to establish the community as a leading force by 2047.