TDP president and former chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu has asked CM Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy to sign the ‘declaration’ form as per the rules of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams failing which he would cause a great disservice to the entire state in addition to hurting the sentiments of the Hindu devotees. Naidu asserted that a chief minister who got elected as per the provisions of the Constitution of India should not violate the laws of the land.
Naidu asked what wrong would be there if the non-Hindu chief minister signed the declaration as a sign of expressing his faith in the deity of the Seven Hills. Even a non-Hindu President of India signed the declaration without any hesitation and in due respect for the laws previously. Jagan Reddy should also follow the laws in order to give the right message to society.
Andhra CM Jagan Mohan Reddy is scheduled to visit shrine of Lord Venkateswara in Tirumala on 23 September to attend the nine-day annual Brahmotsavams festival amid a controversy being stirred up by rival political parties, who say the Andhra Pradesh chief minister— who is a Christian—should not be allowed inside the temple without signing a declaration about his religion and affirming his faith in Lord Venkateswara.