Conflict Erupts at Tirupati Gaushala as NDA and YSRCP Leaders Exchange Accusations Over Cow Fatalities
Click to start listening
Synopsis
Tensions flared at the Sri Venkateswara gaushala in Tirupati as NDA and YSRCP leaders clashed over claims of cow deaths linked to negligence. Accusations and challenges were exchanged, leading to heightened security and a standoff.
Key Takeaways
- Tension between NDA and YSRCP leaders escalated over cow deaths.
- Leaders exchanged accusations regarding negligence at the gaushala.
- Police presence increased to prevent disturbances.
- Karunakar Reddy stood by his claims of higher cow fatalities.
- Debate around cow welfare has sparked political tensions.
Tirupati, April 17 (NationPress) Tension escalated at the Sri Venkateswara gaushala on Thursday as members of the ruling coalition and the opposition YSR Congress Party engaged in intense disputes regarding the reported deaths of cows at the gaushala managed by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD).
The situation became increasingly dramatic early in the day when MLAs from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) of the united Chittoor district, including TTD member Bhanu Prakash Reddy, confronted YSRCP leader and former TTD chairman Bhumana Karunakar Reddy, challenging him to come forward and substantiate his claims about the alleged cow fatalities due to negligence.
MLAs Pulivarthi Nani, Bojjala Sudheer Reddy, Arani Srinivasulu, Kalikiri Murali Mohan, and Bhanu Prakash Reddy arrived at the gaushala and contacted Karunakar Reddy, urging him to come and validate his accusations.
They insisted that instead of making unfounded claims, he should visit the site and provide tangible proof.
They offered to communicate with the Superintendent of Police to facilitate his arrival at the gaushala. Following police recommendations, Karunakar Reddy was advised to bring five associates.
Karunakar Reddy confirmed he would attend, prompting a significant police presence to avert any potential disturbances. Police had previously cautioned politicians against arriving in large groups and threatened to take action against anyone inciting disorder.
In the meantime, Tirupati MP M. Gurumoorthy showed up at the gaushala in place of Karunakar Reddy. The NDA MLAs questioned Gurumoorthy about Karunakar Reddy’s absence. Gurumoorthy claimed that police had placed Karunakar Reddy under house arrest, a statement the MLAs refuted, leading to a spirited exchange between the two factions.
Both groups attempted to address the media, with NDA leaders seen attempting to obstruct the MP and YSRCP representatives from speaking.
The MLAs accused the YSRCP, led by Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, of attacking Hinduism and demanded that Karunakar Reddy cease the theatrics.
They asserted that Karunakar Reddy's claim of over 100 cow deaths was false, stating that only 34 cows had died, with all records regarding the causes available.
Conversely, Karunakar Reddy maintained that the coalition government was afraid to confront him and barred him and other YSRCP leaders from entering the gaushala. He reiterated his stance regarding the extensive cow deaths.
“A large contingent of police surrounded our residence and prevented us from going to the gaushala to support our claims. We proposed that five of our members, including MP Gurumoorthy, former ministers Narayanaswamy, R.K. Roja, and our MLC, would visit the gaushala to accept the ruling coalition's challenge, but were denied entry,” he declared.
“I continue to uphold my statements regarding this matter, and the TTD's account is that 170 cows have died since June 2025, following the coalition government's assumption of office, although my numbers are significantly higher,” he concluded.
