Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh Endowments Minister Vellampalli Srinivas made clarifications over the controversy related to religious advertisements printed on the bus tickets from Tirupati to Tirumala. Speaking to the media on Friday he said, "We have ordered an inquiry into the allegations and it is learned that these tickets were printed during the Telugu Desam Party rule." He said that the transport officials had them shifted to the Tirumala depot from Nellore depot, which was in violation of rules. He said that a proper investigation would be conducted and strict action will be taken against those responsible for this false propaganda.

Vellampalli expressed his ire at the opposition for trying to attribute everything and anything that happens, against the Government. He said that not only were they attributing these falsities on the Government, they were also desperately trying to tarnish the reputation of the Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy. He said that TV channels, which were also involved in this false propaganda, were blowing the issue out of proportion. "The sentiments of the devotees of Tirumala have been hurt because of this apart from disturbing the peace and tranquility in the state", he fumed.

The Endowments Minister warned that strict legal action would be taken against media houses and people who were involved in this negative propaganda against the Tirumala temple and Government.

Vellamapalli fired against the TDP Chief N Chandrababu Naidu questioning his role in the demolition of more than 40 temples in the State. He also asked that wasn't it the TDP leader who grabbed the Sadavarthi lands through illegal means. Not stopping there, he said that it was during Chandrababu's regime occult rituals were conducted in the Kanaka Durga and Kalahasti temples. He also spoke about the atrocities that Chandrababu had committed in the name of Hinduism.

Listing out facts about the theft of the golden crown belonging to Tirumala temple and the death of 29 piligrims during the Godavari Pushkar time , he said that all these incidents happened during Chandrababu's time. “Which is why the people have shunned him and endeared themselves to the Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy for his unified stance towards all religions”, he concluded.

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