In the name of secularism, the Congress party has often raised objections to Hindu religious institutions. In the latest instance, Andhra Pradesh Congress leader and former Union Minister Dr Chinta Mohan demanded that Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams withdraw the allocation of ₹35.19 crore sanctioned for development works at the Sri Anjaneya Swamy Temple in Kondagattu, Karimnagar district of Telangana. Chinta Mohan staged a dharna along with Congress workers near the TTD Administrative Building in Tirupati on January 5, raising objections to the funding.
Earlier, TTD Chairman B R Naidu said the TTD Trust Board had approved Rs 35.19 crore for the temple’s development following a formal request from Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan. The chairman stated that the proposal was placed before Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, after which the board cleared the funds.
The sanctioned works include construction of a large guesthouse with 96 rooms and other infrastructure facilities for the convenience of devotees. Earlier, the Deputy CM and the TTD Chairman jointly laid the foundation stone for the development works at the Sri Anjaneya Swamy Temple in Kondagattu on January 3.
Expressing his gratitude, Pawan Kalyan thanked the TTD Chairman and board members for approving the funds and supporting the project.
In a post on X, he said the foundation stone-laying for the 96-room choultry and a deeksha viramana (pilgrimage conclusion) facility—capable of accommodating over 2,000 devotees at a time—was a moment of happiness for him. He also thanked Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu for responding positively to his request and for extending cooperation towards the temple’s development.
“I prayed at our presiding deity, Kondagattu Sri Anjaneya Swamy, seeking happiness, good health and prosperity for all Telugu people,” the Deputy Chief Minister said in his post.
తనకు పునర్జన్మను ప్రసాదించిన తెలంగాణ రాష్ట్రం, కొండగట్టు శ్రీ అంజన్న స్వామి వారి దేవస్థానంలో భక్తుల సౌకర్యార్థం, తిరుమల తిరుపతి దేవస్థానం (టీటీడీ) ₹35.19 కోట్ల నిధులతో 96 గదులతో చేపడుతున్న సత్రం, దీక్ష విరమణ ప్రాంగణ నిర్మాణాలకు శంకుస్థాపన చేసిన ఏపీ ఉప ముఖ్యమంత్రి @PawanKalyan.… pic.twitter.com/HaNO7NYcke
— Deputy CMO, Andhra Pradesh (@APDeputyCMO) January 3, 2026
In another message, Pawan Kalyan reiterated his gratitude, recalling Telangana as the state that gave him a “rebirth” in public life, and highlighted that the TTD-funded facilities at the Kondagattu temple were being developed purely in the interest of devotees’ comfort.
In an earlier instance, the AP Congress had taken a similar stand against TTD-funded religious projects. AP Congress President Y S Sharmila had opposed the TTD proposal to construct around 5,000 temples in SC and ST colonies across the State, demanding that the plan be rolled back.
Congress party leaders, particularly members of the family of late former Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, have repeatedly been linked to policies and statements that showed disregard for the functioning and funds of TTD. Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy had even attempted to reduce the sacred Seven Hills to five. Subsequently, under Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, TTD funds were alleged to have been misused and diverted, later culminating in allegations of adulteration of the sacred prasadam laddu. Taken together, these actions appear designed to defame TTD or obstruct its dharmic activities.
