source: The Hindu March 25, 2007

Special Correspondent

BJP alleges hand of local Congress bigwigs behind it

Demonstrators stage sit-in before TTD headquarters
Ask why TTD Trust Board is going soft on the issue

NO TO PRIVATISTION: BJP and BJYM activists holding a dharna in front of the TTD headquarters in Tirupati on Saturday. — Photo: K. Poornachandrakumar

TIRUPATI: The reported move by the State Government to lease out the Karnataka State choultries complex located at Tirumala to private contractors has received flak from the Sangh Parivar organisations.

The State and district leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party and Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morch on Saturday held angry demonstrations in front of the TTD headquarters here resenting the move.

The slogan-shouting demonstrators led by BJYM State president G. Bhanuprakash Reddy staged a sit-in before the office wielding placards and banners one of which read, `Oh Lord, Save the TTD properties'. The leaders criticised that the Rajasekhara Reddy Government, allegedly pursuing the `one-point programme of land grabbing' should now cast its eyes on the TTD and the temple properties located at Tirumala.

Petition EO

The leaders in their statement later charged that there were `hidden hands' of local Congress bigwigs behind the whole episode and wondered why the TTD Trust Board also should try to soft pedal the issue.

The demonstrators dispersed only after TTD Executive Officer A.P.V. Narayana Sarma talked to them and received their representation, which among other things sought that the move be dropped at once lest the Sangh Parivar should intensify its agitation.

The memorandum also wanted that the TTD Trust Board scheduled to meet on Sunday at Tirumala must initiate steps in this direction without playing into the hands of the alleged vested interests.

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