Even as the model code of conduct for the general elections came into force, the Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy government in Andhra Pradesh is understood to have sought the extension of services of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams executive officer A V Dharma Reddy.
Dharma Reddy, who is an Indian Defence Estates Services (IDES) officer, has been on deputation in the state government which appointed him as the joint executive officer of TTD soon after Jagan assumed charge as the chief minister and later as the full-fledged executive officer in 2022.
Now, Dharma Reddy’s deputation will come to an end on May 14, a day after the polling to the assembly and Lok Sabha elections in the state. But the model code of conduct will continue till June 6, when the counting process will be completed.
Till then, the Jagan government cannot appoint anybody else as the new EO of the TTD. So, the chief minister reportedly wrote to Union defence minister Rajnath Singh recently seeking to extend the deputation of Dharma Reddy as the EO at least till June 30.
Apparently, Jagan pointed out that there will be heavy rush of pilgrims to Tirumala during the summer days and if there is no full-time EO for the TTD, it would cause a lot of problems. So, it would be better if Dharma Reddy is continued as EO till June 30, he requested.
It would be interesting to see whether the Centre would oblige the request of Jagan and extend the deputation of Dharma Reddy, who has already exceeded the limit of a Central government official being on deputation to the state.
It is anybody’s guess as to why Jagan has been showing so much interest in Dharma Reddy. First, he has been the most loyal official for YSR family, right from the days of Jagan’s father Y S Rajasekhar Reddy.
Secondly, more than anything else, Dharma Reddy has been using his clout at the Centre to lobby for Jagan on various issues in New Delhi in the capacity of the TTD chairman.
He can keep even top judges of the Supreme Court in good humour using his post, sources said.
