Published Oct 31, 2026 | 3:43 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 31, 2026 | 3:43 PM
Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams.
With the two-year term of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) governing board ending on October 31, it is increasingly certain that there will be no extension for the members.
South First has learnt that the Chandrababu government is, in fact, planning a complete overhaul of Tirumala’s administration. The government is said to be particularly dissatisfied with TTD Chairman Bollineni Rajagopal Naidu (BR Naidu).
Government sources say that the new board can only be constituted after urban local body polls end and the model code of conduct restrictions are lifted. A Special Officer is set to take over the responsibilities until then.
The current board had been constituted after the government issued GO No. 243 on November 1, 2024.
TV5 head BR Naidu had been appointed as the Chairman and took charge on November 6, 2024. A 24-member governing body had also been formed, comprising the Chairman and 23 members. Representation was given to individuals from Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Gujarat alongside Andhra Pradesh, with several figures from political, industrial, and business sectors securing spots as members.
The board has been in charge at a time when the temple has had to battle the fallout of multiple controversies.
A stampede during the issuance of Vaikuntha Dwara Darshan tokens in Tirupati on January 8, 2025, sparked allegations of mismanagement. Six devotees lost their lives and several others were injured in the incident. Criticism surfaced regarding crowd control at token distribution centers, security arrangements, and coordination between the police and TTD officials.
Several reports also raised questions about coordination among members and the exercise of powers among the Chairman, Executive Officer, and Additional Executive Officer. However, the concerned officials clarified that there were no differences among them.
The board also saw new appointments, resignations, and inductions of replacement members during its two-year tenure.
(With inputs from Sarath Chandra B. Edited by R Rajesh Kumar.)
