Southern States - Andhra Pradesh   

TTD Board chief's appointment flayed

By Our Special Correspondent

Hyderabad Dec. 22. Congress MP, B.Satyanarayana, has criticised the Chief Minister for appointing D. Adikesavulu Naidu as chairman of the prestigious Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Board. There was no need for the Chief Minister to resort to such political appointments at this juncture and when he was just a caretaker functionary, he said.

Addressing a press conference here on Monday, Mr.Satyanarayana said that with the latest decision, Mr.Chandrababu Naidu had announced to the world that he had given decency a go-by and that he had no regard for values.

Lashing out at the Chief Minister for "desecrating the sanctity of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams," he said the choice of a liquor baron as the head of the most popular pilgrim destination in the country is appalling.

Mr. Satyanarayana said the Chief Minister had once again demonstrated that he had no compunctions when it comes to serving his political interests.

Referring to the slogan of "vote and note" of the TDP president, he said Mr.Chandrababu Naidu was in fact referring to the "notes to be given by his partymen for votes," thereby urging them to buy votes. Businessmen and commoners would now become targets of the TDP workers who would forcibly collect donations following the directive, he said.

It was also proof of the Chief Minister's connections with the liquor lobby from which he was allegedly receiving kickbacks every month for offering a higher price to the stock bought by the Andhra Pradesh Breweries Corporation Limited (APBCL). He said the question of Mr.Adikesavulu Naidu's political connections is immaterial as the Congress is objecting to a liquor dealer being made the chairman of one of the most prestigious boards.

The appointment is also a reminder to the people that Mr.Naidu would make full use of the power of the liquor lobby in the next Assembly elections and try to influence voters, he said.

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