Buchaiah Chowdary Slams YSRCP Over Tirumala Protest, Accuses Party of Politicising Faith

Rajamahendravaram Rural MLA and senior Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader Gorantla Buchaiah Chowdary launched a sharp attack on the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) , accusing it of dragging religion into politics and hurting Hindu sentiments by invoking Lord Venkateswara during legislative protests. He strongly objected to the conduct of YSRCP members in the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council , alleging that displaying images of the Tirumala deity while wearing footwear and raising slogans showed disregard for devotional sensitivities and the sanctity of the shrine.

The controversy arose amid disruptions in the Council over demands for a discussion on the Tirumala laddu ghee issue . YSRCP members sought debate and accountability over alleged irregularities, while the ruling side insisted on evidence and procedural order before taking up the matter. The protest triggered political backlash, with ruling coalition leaders accusing the opposition of politicising faith and insulting devotees.

Chowdary described the protest as objectionable political theatre and alleged that such actions were carried out under the direction of former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy . He claimed the opposition had repeatedly shown insensitivity toward religious beliefs and was attempting to gain political mileage by using sacred symbols.

Expanding his criticism, the MLA alleged that the previous administration had shown inadequate respect for Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) traditions and Hindu dharma . He accused the former government of weakening institutional safeguards, mishandling temple resources, and enabling irregularities in VIP break darshan , seva tickets , and temple-related revenues. He also referred to past allegations involving illegal transport of human hair consignments and other financial irregularities as indicators of systemic misuse.

He further stressed that temple norms and traditions must be preserved, noting that reported incidents of idol vandalism during the previous regime caused distress among devotees. He also raised concerns over protection of temple lands and trust properties linked to religious and charitable institutions.

The Tirumala temple , one of the world’s most revered pilgrimage centres, frequently becomes the focal point of political debate in Andhra Pradesh due to its spiritual significance and administrative scale. Issues relating to tradition, transparency, and governance often draw intense public scrutiny.

Chowdary said the electorate had already expressed its dissatisfaction through the democratic process and warned that continued actions perceived as hurting religious sentiments could further erode public support. He urged political leaders to respect faith traditions, avoid exploiting religion for political gain, and uphold the dignity of sacred institutions.