Political uncertainty keeps crowd away from Brahmotsavam

Political uncertainty at the Centre and the state has hit the ongoing Brahmotsavam at Tirumala as very thin crowd was present on the third day of the annual event.

Even the commencement of Peritasi month — considered to be the holiest for Tamils — failed to attract crowds. However, empty corridors and avenues at Tirumala has come as a relief for the TTD in view of the water scarcity.

As Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy’s future remained a big question in the state, many Congress MLAs and even senior officials abstained during his visit to Srivari temple to pay state honors on Sunday.

None of the Congress MLAs came to receive the chief minister either at the airport or at the temple town. A few officials of the TTD and district administration turned up.

Even Endowment Minister C Ramachandraiah and senior officials from the department — commissioner Balaramaiah and secretary Chitra Ramachandran — were not present.
TTD officials are keeping their fingers crossed as garudotsavam and Peritasi fall on the same day in this week.