Foundation Minister Velampalli Srinivas hit TDP leader Ashok Gajapathi Raju here on Thursday, claiming that the former Union minister was not interested in finding a solution to the Panchagramalu land problem.
Mr. Srinivas spoke to reporters after visiting the temple of Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy in Simhachalam with his family.
The minister said that at a time when the public, archakas, and temple staff were seeking a solution to the land dispute, the hereditary trustee, Mr. Ashok, alone gave double standards on the matter. He wanted to know if Mr. Ashok was interested in finding a solution to the problem.
The minister alleged that Mr. Ashok was acting on behalf of TDP President N. Chandrababu Naidu, and said that solving the land issue would not only benefit all injured parties but also generate revenue for the temple. Refuting Mr Ashok’s allegations, he said that the Jagan Mohan Reddy government had not withdrawn a single rupee from the foundations department and that the former Union minister should have known that it was not possible to transfer funds from the department to the ‘Vahana Mitra. to divert ‘plan.
Mr. Srinivasa Rao said Mr. Ashok could not accept the appointment of Sanchaita Gajapathi, daughter of his older brother Anand Gajapathi Raju, as chairman of the Simhachalam Temple Trust Board and was politicizing the issue.
Mr Ashok was reinstated as Chairman of the Simhachalam Trust Board by the High Court a few days ago.
Previously, the Minister was received by Executive Officer MV Suryakala, officials and members of the Trust Committee. After the darshan of the deity, he visited the ‘Kalyana Mandap’, which was refurbished as part of the recent renovations.