The government has suddenly transferred TTD EO Anil Kumar Singhal who has been in the post since the TDP regime. He has been posted in medical and health department. In fact, transfers are not uncommon, but the timing and the manner of Singhal’s transfer raises a few questions.
Two Brahmotsavams are being conducted at Tirumala this year due to ‘Adhikamasam’. The EO was transferred after all arrangements have been made and one Brahmotsavam was over and while another Utsavam is to start in a few days. It is said he was shifted over the developments during Brahmotsavam, particularly for an ‘error’ done during Garuda Seva. But some argue that it is unfair to make him responsible for issues that have nothing to do with him.
What happened on Garuda Seva day?
It is a tradition for Chief Minister to present silk robes to the deity at Tirumala during Brahmotsavams. This year, Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s visit during the Brahmotsavams was marred by controversy over declaration to be signed by non-Hndus before the Darshan of Lord Venkateswara. While opposition parties insisted that Jagan honour the tradition, YSRCP was equally adamant that Jagan need not do it.
In fact, EO Singhal has nothing to do with this episode. In the wake of declaration controversy, apparently in support of Jagan, many state ministers and party leaders accompanied him during his visit, which normally involves only chief minister and endowments minister.
A large number of ministers and ruling party leaders descended on Tirumala on the day, as if it was a battle and all of them were there to defend their leader. Kodali Nani who blamed Hindu traditions for religious conversions and downplayed attacks on Hindu temples, endowments minister Vellampalli Srinivas, minister Venu Gopala Krishna were among the YSRCP contingent. Later, two ministers were diagnosed with corona and according to unofficial sources, at least 150 to 200 people who took part in the Chief Minister’s programme on Garuda Seva day have tested positive for Covid-19.
EO Singhal has been blamed for this on the grounds that he had failed to safeguard the health of attendees.
How corona spread?
Tirumala temple priest Dollar Seshadri tested Covid positive. He was seen mingling with important persons and VIPs who visited the temple. It is suspected that the infection has spread from him. He has been admitted to a famous corporate hospital in Chennai. In the meantime, minister Vellampalli, Venu Gopala Krishna too tested positive. With many other leaders too testing positive, the government has pinned the blame on the EO.
The EO has been getting all the employees attending temple rituals and guests tested beforehand for Covid and allowing only those found negative. But on the Garuda Seva day, a large number of leaders attended the event. It was beyond EO’s capacity to get all of them tested. But he had to take the blame.
Bolt out of blue
Singhal did not expect the axe to fall on him so swiftly. He has been serving the temple for a long time. It is said that he has good relations with BJP and Central government leaders. He has also been promoted as additional secretary in Central services recently.
It is learnt that he had been telling his close associates that he would not continue in TTD duties after completion of two Brahmotsavams and would shift to Central services. Though the state government has shifted him to the medical and health department now, he may not continue here for long and opt for Central services. As he has a chance of retiring as Central Cabinet secretary, he is eying Central services. But the Jagan government has hastily removed him from TTD and shifted him to another department.
Has Jagan held the EO responsible for ministers contracting Covid? Is his anger behind the sudden transfer of Singhal? Or has he taken a hasty decision? These are the topics of discussion among the people.
