Many startling developments about Tirumala have been coming to light in recent times during the tenure of Chandrababu Naidu.
It is not clear whether these are being intentionally exposed by YSRCP leaders through extensive probing or whether, as Karunakar Reddy suggested, Lord Venkateshwara himself is revealing the information to bring these issues into the open.
After the alleged videos of B.R. Naidu with a woman surfaced, which Naidu claimed were AI generated, and caused a stir in the state, another controversy has now emerged.
It concerns the Andhra Pradesh government allegedly selling 25 acres of land to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams at Rs 50 lakh per acre to build a temple in Amaravati.
Karunakar Reddy pointed out that this could be the first time in the history of TTD that land has been purchased by Lord Venkateshwara’s temple itself in order to construct a temple.
For centuries, land for Venkateshwara temples has traditionally been donated by kings, philanthropists and devotees. TTD purchasing land for a temple is therefore being portrayed as unprecedented.
The criticism now is that Chandrababu Naidu’s government has reportedly allotted land to several institutions and companies either free of cost or at highly subsidized prices.
Critics say software companies have received land for as little as 99 paise per acre, while institutions such as the National Institute of Design were given 50 acres free of cost.
The Andhra Pradesh Human Resource Development Institute reportedly received 25 acres free of cost, and the Central Institute of Tool Design was also allotted land free of cost.
In addition, land has reportedly been provided at subsidized prices or free of cost to certain universities and institutions.
In this context, critics question how the government could charge TTD for land meant for building a temple.
“If Chandrababu Naidu is truly a great devotee of Lord Venkateshwara, he could have at least donated 25 acres from the government land bank. Alternatively, he could have given the land free of cost to TTD and the public would not have objected. Why give land free to corporate companies but not to TTD? Does he believe in supporting only those from whom he expects returns, but not God? If yes, how can he claim to be a true devotee?” said a TTD employee familiar with the matter.
Apart from this controversy, YSRCP voice Nagarjuna Yadav has also highlighted a police charge sheet filed in January 2025 regarding the alleged theft of gold worth Rs 98 lakh from the Tirumala hundi.
The charge sheet is an official document, not merely an allegation, and reportedly states that the theft took place during the present TDP regime after B.R. Naidu took charge as the 54th Chairman of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams.
Observers find it surprising that this information did not reach the media for more than a year.
Overall, controversies surrounding Tirumala, whether the alleged adulterated ghee issue, the alleged indecent videos or the charge sheet on gold theft, are disturbing devotees.
