TTD next in line to be privatised by BJP-RSS?

The central government’s recent decision to privatise the Visakha Steel Plant has not been met with positive reviews by anyone belonging to Andhra Pradesh or Visakhapatnam. Protests against the decision are going on in the port city, and political drama is currently very high on the topic.

Before a proper conclusion can come for this issue, yet another trust run organisation is said to be on the verge of being privatised very soon. On February 7th, a meeting between RSS and BJP was held at the New Delhi India International Centre, and RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat presided over the meeting. Over 30 BJP leaders and 30 other leaders have reportedly discussed the future of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams.

Congress former MP Chinta Mohan is now saying that the BJP and RSS are planning to privatise TTD, which is now being run like a trust. He said that the central government is planning to transfer the power of running the TTD to Hindu Dharma Acharya Sabha or a conglomerate of the peethadhipathis of different mutts in the country.

With over 16,000 employees, TTD is currently run by senior IAS, IPS officers, who are guided by the TTD trust board. TTD is one of the most prestigious institutions in the world, with several hospitals, colleges and even the SVBC channel under it. The board is also in charge of a lot of gold and funds, that belong to Lord Venkateswara Swamy.

Chinta Mohan is asserting that the Central Government is very much fixed on privatising the TTD, like the Visakha Steel Plant, taking advantage of the YSRCP’s weakness.