Date:19/07/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/07/19/stories/2007071955880800.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Youth Congress activists ‘disturb’ Tirumala ambience

Special Correspondent

Take out rally in violation of TTD rules; cases registered

Rally was taken out to celebrate a ‘political nomination’
Political activity prohibited on the hills; bid to hold meeting foiled

Tirupati: A car rally taken out amid a lot of fanfare by the youth Congress workers at Tirumala in violation of the TTD rule against conducting any political activity on the holy hills has ended in a controversy. What further irked the TTD top-brass was the bursting of huge crackers by the Congress workers all along the route.

The TTD which has taken the matter with all the seriousness has asked its Vigilance Wing to lodge a complaint with the local police naming some six local Congress activists.

Following the complaint, the Tirumala police registered a case against and are investigating.

As for the genesis of the incident, youth congress activists reached Tirumala from Tirupati to celebrate the nomination of one Patakam Venkatesh as the president of the Chittoor district unit of the Youth Congress.

BJP protest

Moving past the TTD’s GNC gate located at the entrance of the hills, the rallyists inched their way to the Balaji Nagar inhabited by the local traders and the business people to address a meeting. It was however thwarted with the local police intervening and taking objection to holding the meeting.

Meanwhile, the BJP and the BJYM activists strongly condemned the ‘scant respect’ the Congress workers have towards the rules and conventions governing religious places and burnt the effigy of the Congress party at the NTR Circle.

They criticised that after the advent of Congress Government, deeds which jeopardised the sanctity and serenity of Tirumala hills were being indulged in with contempt and impunity.