Published Mar 31, 2026 | 7:00 AM ⚊ Updated Mar 31, 2026 | 7:00 AM
File photo of Bhumana Karunakar Reddy. (BhumanaKarunakarreddy.official/Facebook)
Synopsis: The land was reportedly allotted to Bengaluru-based Divya Sri Holdings Pvt Ltd, and Hyderabad-based Cyber City Builders & Developers. Bhumana alleged that no public tender or notification was issued before the allotment, raising serious concerns over transparency. He also pointed out that the Government Order (GO) lacked stringent safeguards to protect public interest.
A fresh political controversy has erupted over the proposed “Tirupati One” project.
Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) former chairman and YSRCP official spokesperson Bhumana Karunakar Reddy, on Monday, 30 March, levelled serious allegations of large-scale corruption in the allotment of prime land in Tirupati.
Addressing the media at his residence, Bhumana accused IT Minister Nara Lokesh of receiving ₹400 crore in commissions linked to the controversial land deal.
He demanded the immediate cancellation of land allotments made to private real estate firms, alleging that the entire project is “a facade for massive corruption involving hundreds of crores.”
Bhumana said around 22 acres of prime land located near the Tirupati Collectorate, estimated to be worth over ₹1,000 crore at prevailing market prices of nearly ₹50 crore per acre, was allotted to two private companies for just ₹94 crore.
He further claimed that the state government extended additional concessions worth ₹400 crore, taking the total benefit to nearly ₹1,400 crore.
The land was reportedly allotted to Bengaluru-based Divya Sri Holdings Pvt Ltd, and Hyderabad-based Cyber City Builders & Developers. Bhumana alleged that no public tender or notification was issued prior to the allotment, raising serious concerns over transparency. He also pointed out that the Government Order (GO) lacked stringent safeguards to protect public interest.
The YSRCP leader further alleged that the two beneficiary companies were “benami entities” linked to Lokesh. He claimed that even leaders within the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) privately acknowledged that commissions to the tune of ₹400 crore were paid in the transaction.
Bhumana also alleged insider trading, stating that the companies have been actively purchasing surrounding agricultural lands, indicating prior knowledge of the project and its potential value escalation.
Raising questions over the nature of the allotment, Bhumana objected to the land being granted on a freehold basis instead of the more common lease or public-private partnership (PPP) model.
He termed the concessions extended to the companies as “extraordinary and unjustified.” They are: 15 years of GST benefits, 100% reimbursement of stamp duty on land purchase, five-year exemption from property tax.
“These concessions clearly indicate undue favouritism and a complete disregard for public revenue,” he said.
The proposed development, reportedly including star hotels, spas, multiplexes, wellness centres, and a large convention hall, has also sparked concerns over its proximity to the sacred temple town. Bhumana criticised the decision to allow such commercial activity near the shrine of Lord Venkateswara and Tiruchanur, calling it an affront to devotees’ sentiments.
He questioned why such valuable land was not instead allocated to established hospitality players or developed under stricter regulatory frameworks that safeguard the sanctity of the area.
Bhumana cautioned that the absence of strict conditions in the GO could lead to misuse of the land in the future.
“If these companies violate norms and construct residential apartments or other commercial structures, the government will have little control or legal recourse,” he warned.
He dismissed the government’s claim that the project would generate around 1,500 jobs, calling it a “smokescreen to justify corruption.”
The YSRCP leader announced that the party would launch a statewide agitation demanding the cancellation of the land allotments under the Tirupati One project. He asserted that the party would continue its fight until the land is reclaimed.
In a direct attack on Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Bhumana said that if the Chief Minister truly had devotion towards Lord Venkateswara, he would not permit such commercial exploitation near the temple.
“Valuable public land in the spiritual capital is being handed over at throwaway prices, causing massive loss to the state exchequer. This project is nothing but a cover for large-scale corruption,” he alleged.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
