Wed Jan 08 19:40:00 UTC 2025: ## Former Minister Roja Blames TDP for Tirupati Stampede, Demands Criminal Charges
**Tadepalli, January 9, 2025** – Former Andhra Pradesh Minister RK Roja launched a scathing attack on the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) government, holding it solely responsible for the tragic stampede at Tirupati on January 8 that resulted in six deaths. Roja accused the TDP’s Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, the TTD Chairman, and local officials of gross negligence and incompetence, claiming their focus was on serving Naidu rather than providing adequate facilities for pilgrims.
Roja stated that the lack of proper crowd management and security arrangements led to the deadly incident, demanding criminal charges be filed against Naidu, the TTD Chairman, the Superintendent of Police (SP), and other relevant officials. She questioned the police’s role, alleging they were deployed for Naidu’s service rather than crowd control. She also criticized the handling of the situation by the TTD, accusing them of prioritizing political agendas over the safety and well-being of pilgrims.
Roja further condemned the government’s response, highlighting the discrepancies in applying legal sections to the case and contrasting it with the swift action taken against others in similar situations. She questioned the silence of the Hindu religious institutions involved and demanded the intervention of Prime Minister Modi to ensure a thorough investigation. She accused the coalition government of callousness, citing previous incidents of deaths during the Godavari Pushkaralu and Vijayawada floods, attributing these also to TDP negligence. Roja even questioned the inaction of Jana Sena Party leader Pawan Kalyan, who often styles himself as a protector of Hindu traditions.
Roja’s statement concludes with a call for a thorough investigation, the filing of criminal charges against all responsible parties, and a demand for improved safety measures to prevent such tragedies in the future. She also criticized the TTD, suggesting it has been transformed into a TDP office and that the chairman lacks any genuine religious devotion.
First Piper 