I was removed as the chief priest : Deekshitulu

Levelling fresh charges against the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams Board, former chief priest Ramana Deekshitulu on Wednesday reiterated his demand for a CBI probe into the affairs of the prestigious temple.

Addressing a press conference here, Mr. Deekshitulu said the TTD Board which was unable to refute the allegations he had made, had slapped a 100 crore defamation case. “I feel sorry to say that there are lapses in the daily rituals in the temple,” he said, adding that the jewellery offered to Lord Venkateswara was gradually ‘missing’.

He recalled that Potu, where the prasadam is prepared was closed for 25 days without any reason.He wondered how the prasadam and other offerings made to the God were prepared when the kitchen was closed. After closing the kitchen, the area was dug up.“I was removed as the chief priest only because I made serious charges at the state of affairs in the famous temple and the TTD,” Mr. Deekshitulu said.According to him, his plea not to demolish the thousand pillar temple was rejected. He said unless a CBI probe was undertaken, the facts would not come out.