Telangana CM Sparks Controversy After Donating Gold Worth Rs 5 Crore To Deity

Hyderabad Feb 22 : Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao has come under the scanner after he decided to use Rs five crore worth tax payers' money to donate gold ornaments to the famous hill shrine of Lord Venkateshwara near Tirumala Tirupati.The donation was made on behalf of the Telangana state to fulfil a vow the CM had taken if Telangana state was formed, however, the CM has faced sharp criticism from both citizens and other political party leaders.

After making the donation, Rao said, "Have offered the Lord offerings on behalf of the State of Telangana. The 'darshanam' went on very peacefully. The chairman and other officers were also present with me. My relatives and other ministers from the Cabinet were here too and managed a good 'darshanam' of the Lord. I prayed for the well being of both the Telugu-speaking states."

When he was asked why such exorbitant donations were being made, he explained that these are offering to the lord which cannot be discriminated.  "It's everybody's great fortune that we were able to give offerings to the lord. The lord's blessing's will definitely be bestowed upon everyone," he added.

Accompanied by family members and some cabinet colleagues, Rao arrived here last night by a special flight on a 15-hour maiden spiritual visit to the ancient temple.After offering worship to the presiding deity (Lord Venkateswara) this morning, the Telangana chief minister handed over a golden garland studded with fossilised shells called "Shaligram Haram" and a multi-layer gold necklace called "Makhara Kantabharanam," totally weighing about 19 kg and worth about Rs 5 crore to the temple Executive Officer, D Sambasiva Rao this morning.

It was the first of such huge offering ever made by a state government after Independence in the country, to the 2,000-year-old hill shrine, richest in the world, the sources said.Later, at the sprawling Ranganayaka Mandapam inside shrine, Rao was honoured with sacred silk cloth and prasadam while the high priests, amid chanting vedic hymns, bestowed blessings on him.

Before leaving for Hyderabad, Rao also offered his obeisance and made a gold offering at the shrine of Sri Padmavathi in Tiruchanur near here, the sources added.While he said the donations made were a part of a vow he had taken, spending public money for such purposes raises questions about the other developmental projects in the state.Some party leaders have vehemently opposed the move, saying the chief minister has no right to use public money for such purposes and he should bear such expenses from his own pocket.

It has also come to light that BJP and Congress both stand against the move, but it has to be seen whether any action would be called for.