Foundation Minister Vellampalli Srinivas hit the former Union minister and TDP leader Ashok Gajapathi Raju here on Thursday.
He spoke to the media after visiting the temple of Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy in Simhachalam with his family on Thursday.
The minister said that at a time when the public, archakas and temple staff were seeking a solution to the “Panchagramala land problem”, hereditary trustee Ashok Gajapathi Raju alone had given double standards on the matter. He wanted to know whether or not Mr. Ashok was interested in solving the problem.
The minister alleged that Mr. Ashok was acting on instructions from TDP President N. Chandrababu Naidu, saying that a solution to 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 taken a single paisa from the foundation department and that the former Union minister should have known that it was not possible to transfer funds from the department to the ‘Vahan Mitra. to divert ‘plan.
Mr. Srinivasa Rao said Mr. Ashok was unable to condone his elder brother Anand Gajapathi’s daughter, Sanchaitha Gajapathi, as chair of the Simhachalam Temple Trustee Committee and politicized the issue.
Mr Ashok was reinstated as Chairman of the Simhachalam Trust Board by the AP High Court a few days ago.
Previously, the preacher was received by Executive Officer MV Suryakala, officials, and members of the Temple Trust Committee. After the Darshan of the deity, he attended the ‘Kalyana Mandap’ and appreciated sculptures on the pillars of the old hall, which were refurbished as part of the recent renovations.