Andhra Pradesh Brahmin Welfare Corporation chairman Vemuri Anand Surya has accused the former head priest of the TTD, A.V. Ramana Deekshitulu, of maligning the image of the TTD Trust Board, the State government, and the Chief Minister.
At a press conference here, Mr. Surya said there had been allegations against Mr. Deekshitulu for the last over one year, and the board had taken them into consideration and initiated action against him.
Having got wind of the board’s moves, Mr. Deekshitulu convened a press conference in Tamil Naidu. He made several charges, Mr. Surya said, alleging the role of the former Chief Secretary, I.Y.R. Krishna Rao, in it.
‘Several lapses’
Instead of complaining to the government and the board on the TTD, Mr. Deekshithulu said he would take up the issue with the President and the Union Government. Mr. Deekshithulu violated norms by performing a yagna at Nanded while being in the service of the TTD. He also performed puja at the residence of the former board chairman, Bhumana Karunakar Reddy, he alleged. Notices on disciplinary grounds had been issued to him in 2011, Mr. Ananda Surya said.
Mr. Surya wanted to know why Mr. Deekshitulu had kept quiet when attempts had reportedly been made to reduce the number of Tirumala hills during the Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy’s tenure.
On fixing the retirement age for the TTD priests, Mr. Surya said it had to be done at one time or the other, and it would give an opportunity for others to serve. He, however, allayed fears of priests in other temples saying it was not applicable to them.
