TTD To Return Gifts From Corrupt?

Man proposes, God disposes, goes the adage. The world's second richest abode of God is in the news again, and for non-religious reasons. Again.

In an overnight development, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) is being pitch-forked into unknown territory, thanks to a purposeful observation, and subsequent request, made by Congress Legislator Veerashiva Reddy.

The TTD has been brought to the spotlight because of the largesse extended by the nation's reigning rogues' gallery. Veerashiva Reddy has asked the TTD administration to return all the gifts, both in kind and cash, donated by rich, powerful and tainted politicians.

The 'magnanimity' of politicians who donate glittering gifts to Venkateshwara, who Lords over the seven hills, is commonplace. For instance, Gali Janardhan Reddy has donated crowns that would be the envy of Buckingham Palace. The mukut he gifted is estimated to be worth around a whopping Rs. 46 crore.

The once powerful Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh, jailed for his role in the cash-for-votes scandal, has also been notoriously lavish in his gifts to Tirupati.

There are scores of such shady politicians who donated in similar magnitude.

And by asking the TTD to return the ill-gotten gifts, Veerashiva Reddy has proposed something that is likely to win overwhelming public support.

In a quick reply, TTD member R Suryaprakash Rao said that he would look into the suggestion in a meeting the TTD Chairperson has proposed for the next week.

Suryaprakash Rao has stated that returning all such gifts to the individual donor, or in a way that the law deems it fit, would top the agenda during the 2-day high-level meeting. A final decision is likely to be taken then. (INN)