BR Naidu Takes the Helm: New Leadership for TTD
The Andhra Pradesh government has appointed BR Naidu as the chairman of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), which oversees the famous Tirumala temple in Tirupati. This decision comes amid controversies surrounding the alleged use of animal fat in the popular Tirupati laddus, raising concerns among devotees.
A Visionary Leader for a New Era
BR Naidu, the founder of the Telugu TV channel TV5, is a strategic choice for TTD chairman. His public profile and administrative experience add to his qualifications. Moreover, this appointment is significant since the TTD has been operating without a governing body for some time.
A Diverse Trust Board: Representing All Voices
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu announced the newly appointed trust board, which includes a diverse group of members to ensure broad representation. Notable members include several MLAs from Andhra Pradesh, such as Jyotula Nehru from Jaggampeta, Vemireddy Prashanthi Reddy from Kovuru, and MS Raju from Madakasira. Other significant figures on the board include Panabaka Lakshmi, a former Union Minister, former Chief Justice of India Justice HL Dattu, and Suchitra Ella, Managing Director of Bharat Biotech.
Gratitude from the New Chairman
After his appointment, BR Naidu expressed gratitude to the government and key figures like Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan through a tweet, thanking them for the opportunity to lead the TTD trust board.
Comprehensive Representation: TTD Board Members
The newly formed trust board consists of 24 members to ensure comprehensive representation. Here’s the full list of TTD board members:
- BR Naidu (Chairman)
- Prashanthi Reddy
- MS Raju
- Jyothula Nehru
- Panabaka Lakshmi
- Sambasiva Rao
- Narsi Reddy
- Sadashiva Rao Nannapaneni
- Mallela Rajasekhar Goud
- Suchitra Ella
- Krishna Murthy
- Janga Krishnamurthy
- Koteshwar Rao
- Buragapu Anandasai
- Shantharam
- Naresh Kumar
- Saurabh H Bora
- Darshan RN
- Justice HL Dattu
- P Ramoorthy
- Adit Desai
- Boongunuru Mahender Reddy
- Janaki Devi Tammishetty
- Anugolu Rangasri
Controversy Erupts: The Tirupati Laddu Debate
The timing of this appointment is significant, as it follows a heated debate over the alleged use of animal fat in the laddus. On September 18, Chandrababu Naidu accused the previous YSR Congress regime of using ghee adulterated with animal fat in the laddus offered to devotees, igniting a major controversy. The YSR Congress party refuted these claims, accusing the Chief Minister of undermining the temple’s sanctity.
Investigative Actions: Government’s Response to Allegations
In response to the allegations, the state government established a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to look into the claims. However, the Supreme Court later ordered a CBI-monitored investigation to delve deeper into the matter.
