Naidu govt plot to grab Rs.400 Cr temple lands

Tadepalli, September 8: Former Minister Velampalli Srinivas strongly condemned the coalition government for attempting to hand over Machilipatnam Godugupeta Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple lands worth ₹400 crores under the guise of setting up exhibition grounds and a golf club. Addressing media at YSRCP central office in Tadepalli, he said Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has turned into a “land demon,” even targeting temple lands to benefit his associates with the support of TDP MP Kesineni Chinni.
Velampalli recalled that the temple, once in disrepair, was revived under former CM YS Jagan, who allocated Rs. 1.80 crores for its development. In contrast, the present government is conspiring to divert 40 acres of temple land — 35 acres for exhibition grounds and 5 acres to Bharat Golfs Pvt Ltd for a golf club — in violation of norms. The district collector himself wrote to the principal secretary recommending this transfer and immediately began leveling the land overnight with sand, gravel, and concrete, despite the lands already being leased to farmers until May 2026.
He revealed that this land grab plan was first drafted by TDP in 2017 when the temple was merged with the Vijayawada Durga temple, but YSRCP later restored it to the Endowments Department. Farmers like Borra Ravi and Abburi Srinivas Rao, who were cultivating the land, are being deprived overnight.
Velampalli declared that Hindu society will not tolerate this exploitation. He demanded BJP, VHP, and self-proclaimed protector of Sanatana Dharma, Pawan Kalyan, to answer why they remain silent while temple lands are being usurped. He cited even TDP-friendly Andhra Jyothi reporting the issue under “Ayyosami.”

He warned that YSRCP will launch a legal battle to safeguard every inch of temple land and demanded criminal cases against those involved in the illegal leveling works. “Not an inch of God’s land will be allowed to be swallowed. We will fight until these allocations are stopped,” he affirmed.