Anitha dropped from TTD Trust Board

Putting a lid on the controversy surrounding the appointment of Payakaraopet MLA V. Anitha as member of the Trust Board of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), the government on Thursday issued a GO withdrawing her name from the list of appointees.

On April 20, the government had constituted the new Trust Board with P. Sudhakar Yadav as Chairman, and comprising 14 members, including Ms. Anitha, and two ex-officio members.

However, Ms. Anitha’s appointment kicked up a row as a video, which suggested that she was a Christian, went viral in the social media.

As various Hindu organisations, politicians, and others raised a hue and cry, Ms. Anitha had written a letter to Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, requesting him to withdraw her appointment while claiming to be a Hindu and a devotee of Lord Venkateswara.

In the letter, Ms. Anitha stated that she did not want to cause an embarrassment to the Chief Minister and the government.

Her omission from the list of members is in accordance with Section 96 of the A.P. Charitable and Hindu Religious Institutions and Endowments Act, 1987.