TDP’s ‘Vijayawada Utsav’, a commercial scam that undermines the sanctity of Durga Navaratri

Vijayawada, September 18: YSRCP leaders strongly condemned the ruling coalition government for attempting to commercialize and corrupt the spiritual sanctity of the Kanaka Durga Navaratri festivities by organizing the so-called “Vijayawada Utsav” under the patronage of MP Kesineni Chinni and his associates.
Addressing the media, former ministers Perni Venkatramaiah (Nani), Velampalli Srinivas, NTR District Party President Devineni Avinash, and former MLA Malladi Vishnu charged that the TDP leadership is orchestrating a massive loot in the guise of celebrations. They revealed that nearly 40 acres of temple land at Godugupeta Venkateswara Swamy temple have been illegally flattened and converted for commercial purposes despite clear court restrictions.
The leaders pointed out that stalls are being auctioned for Rs. 3 lakh each for 10 days, with hundreds of stalls expected to generate hundreds of crores in illegal revenue. “For 40 acres of land, the government was given only Rs. 40 lakh, while TDP leaders plan to pocket hundreds of crores. This is nothing short of organized corruption and a disgrace to Vijayawada’s cultural heritage,” Velampalli Srinivas stated.
Perni Nani rebutted Kesineni Chinni’s false allegations regarding temple lands, challenging him to prove his claims and demanding an official inquiry. He reminded that the lands were publicly auctioned in 2007 and not usurped as alleged. “If Kesineni has courage, let him order a probe. Instead, he is acting like a real estate broker while ignoring the people’s issues,” Nani said.

Devineni Avinash exposed how Kesineni and TDP leader Pattabhi are extorting business associations and institutions, threatening them to fund the Vijayawada Utsav instead of supporting the sacred Navaratri arrangements. “Businessmen are being coerced with phone calls and threats. This is nothing but blackmail in the name of culture,” Avinash added.

Malladi Vishnu condemned the attempt to dilute the historic Durga Navaratri celebrations by staging parallel commercial events. “Instead of focusing on arrangements for the lakhs of devotees, TDP leaders are busy with movie stars and money-making. They are undermining the very spirit of Vijayawada’s identity,” he said.
The leaders warned that YSRCP will continue to expose these scams and fight until the illegal activities are stopped. They demanded the immediate cancellation of the Vijayawada Utsav being held on temple lands and called upon the government to safeguard the sanctity of Durga Navaratri and the interests of the people of Vijayawada.