The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) had made an attempt to take over the prestigious temples under the control of the Tirumala Tirupati Devastanams (TTD) in Tirumala. In the name of protected monuments, treating the temples as historically important, the ASI had sent a letter to the TTD seeking the list of such temples to be identified and then subsequently taken over for their protection. However, in no time, the ASI withdrew the letter suspecting public anger against that move.

Whether the ASI’s attempt has Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s nod or not, the issue had come as handy for the State government to target the BJP leadership and the Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Though yet to respond, the issue is likely to go handy for Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu to target the Prime Minister. The Chief Minister is already launching war against the Prime Minister on denial of the special category status and other benefits to the State and the TDP is holding series of protest events across the State.

On Sunday, Anakapalli MP Muttamsetti Srinivas, popularly known as Avanti Srinivas, launched a day long hunger strike against Narendra Modi. There is at least one protest in the 13 districts of the State every day where the TDP is targeting the BJP and the prime minister. Besides the injustice done to the State, the TDP leaders are taking up issues like the demonetisation, scams and crime against women reported across the country to hit at the BJP and the Prime Minister.

Now, the attempt of the ASI to take over the TTD temples is yet another issue for the TDP, particularly Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu to hit at the Prime Minister. The State Finance Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu is already in the news hitting at the Centre on the terms of reference given to the fifteenth finance commission and is rallying the finance ministers of 11 states together against the BJP government and Narendra Modi’s leadership. The ASI would be yet another issue for the TDP to target the Prime Minister in the days to come.