Roja criticizes Naidu for disrupting Lord Venkateswara’s rest

YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) leader and former minister R.K. Roja has accused Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu of disturbing even the divine peace of Lord Venkateswara at the sacred Tirumala temple.

Her remarks, posted on X earlier today, have reignited political tensions over the administration of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), the governing body of the temple.

In her post, written in Telugu, Roja stated, “In this coalition government, not only humans but even the Lord of Lords is being deprived of sleep! As per tradition, rest time must be allocated for the deity. This is not just for the Lord but for us too. If traditions are followed, the Lord will look upon us kindly.”

Jagan better managed Tirupati temple!

She also drew comparisons between the current administration and that of former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, suggesting that temple affairs were better managed under his leadership.

Roja’s comments appear to target the TTD’s operational decisions under the present government, alleging that the deity’s traditional rest periods—an integral part of the temple’s age-old rituals—are being disregarded. While she did not cite specific instances, her remarks have sparked speculation about potential changes in temple schedules or increased activity disrupting customary practices.

Tirumala Tirupati temple in focus

Her statement comes amid broader controversies surrounding the Tirumala temple, including debates over the quality of ghee used for laddus, staff management, and crowd control—especially in light of a tragic stampede in January that claimed six lives.

Critics of the ruling coalition, comprising the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and Janasena, have repeatedly accused it of mismanaging temple affairs. The government, however, has dismissed such claims as politically motivated.

As of now, neither the TTD nor the Andhra Pradesh government has officially responded to Roja’s allegations.