Visakhapatnam: Sanchaitas appointment as Trust Board chief sparks row

Visakhapatnam: A controversy is brewing up over Sanchaita Gajapathi Raju, daughter of P Ananda Gajapathi Raju, swearing in as the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Simhachalam Devasthanam.

Her taking charge as chairperson of the board on Wednesday came as a surprise to the devotees as former Union Minister and TDP politburo member Ashok Gajapathi Raju has been the chairman of the board for the temple for the past four years.

Since 1994, P Ananda Gajapathi Raju, elder brother of Ashok Gajapathi Raju, continued to be the chairman of the Devasthanam. However, after his demise in 2016, Ashok took over as the trustee.

After a gap of 15 years, the list of Trust Board members of Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Devasthanam was announced by the government. Even in the GO No: 252 dated February 20,2020 issued by the State government, it is mentioned that founder family member will be the chairman.

Apparently, keeping the GO in view, many expected that Ashok Gajapathi Raju will continue as chairman of the board.

However, much to the surprise of the temple authorities, the government gave orders to appoint Sanchaita Gajapathi Raju as chairperson, replacing Ashok on Tuesday without any prior intimation.

Sources said that none of the temple authorities were aware of Sanchaita's appointment as chairperson a few hours before her arrival at the shrine to swear in.

Simhachalam temple has over 9,000 acres of lands and crores of assets. This apart, 105 temples are associated with the Devasthanam. The MANSAS Trust also forms a part of the temple.

Board's chairman plays a crucial role in executing various development works and annual festivals of the temple. TDP leaders and former trust board members point out that since Sanchaita lacks in experience, she needs to shoulder a huge responsibility as a part of her new role. "The decision was taken from a political standpoint.

The trust deed, registered in 1958, clearly defined succession as 'eldest male lineal descendant' of the family of late P V G Raju (father of Ashok Gajapathi Raju). But, Ashok's name has been removed from the list overnight with a conspiracy to humiliate him as he's TDP leader," said Pasarla Prasad, former trust board member.

Devotees felt that it gives a wrong signal for the very survival of the temple if the government politicises even temple rituals followed for generations.

Meanwhile, the rest of the board members are swearing on Thursday.