A tense standoff unfolded at the Sri Venkateswara gaushala in Tirupati on Thursday, as leaders from the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the opposition YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) exchanged sharp words over allegations concerning the deaths of cows housed at the gaushala operated by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD).
The situation escalated early in the day when NDA legislators from the united Chittoor district, accompanied by TTD member Bhanu Prakash Reddy, arrived at the gaushala.&nbsp;
The group openly challenged YSRCP leader and former TTD chairman Bhumana Karunakar Reddy to visit the premises and substantiate his claims that multiple cow deaths had occurred as a result of administrative negligence.
Among those present were MLAs Pulivarthi Nani, Bojjala Sudheer Reddy, Arani Srinivasulu, Kalikiri Murali Mohan, and Bhanu Prakash Reddy. They contacted Karunakar Reddy directly, urging him to come to the gaushala and present evidence for his accusations.
The NDA leaders criticised Karunakar Reddy for levelling what they described as unfounded allegations without conducting an on-site inspection. They proposed that he visit the gaushala with a police escort, following suggestions made by law enforcement, and advised that he limit his delegation to five individuals.
Karunakar Reddy agreed to the proposal, stating his intention to visit the location. In anticipation of his arrival, a significant police deployment was arranged at the gaushala to avert any potential disturbance.&nbsp;
Authorities had previously cautioned political figures against assembling in groups at the site and issued a warning that attempts to disturb public order would be met with strict action.
However, instead of Karunakar Reddy, Tirupati MP M. Gurumoorthy arrived at the gaushala. This prompted the NDA MLAs to question his presence, asking why Karunakar Reddy had not come as planned.&nbsp;
Gurumoorthy explained that police had placed Karunakar Reddy under house arrest, a claim firmly rejected by the NDA legislators, sparking a heated exchange between the two factions.
Both groups attempted to engage with the media, but NDA leaders were observed preventing the MP and other YSRCP representatives from addressing reporters.
The NDA MLAs accused the YSRCP, under the leadership of Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, of targeting Hinduism. They demanded that Karunakar Reddy stop what they called a political performance and retract his claims. The MLAs asserted that the YSRCP leader&rsquo;s allegation of over 100 cow deaths was false. According to them, only 34 cows had died at the gaushala, and complete documentation regarding the causes of death was available.
Meanwhile, Karunakar Reddy responded by stating that the ruling coalition had failed to meet his challenge due to fear and had deliberately prevented him and his colleagues from entering the gaushala. &ldquo;A big posse of police had swarmed our house and did not allow us to go to the gaushala to prove our version,&rdquo; he said.
He further added, &ldquo;We said five members of our party, including MP Gurumoorthy, former ministers Narayanaswamy, R.K. Roja, and our MLC, would be visiting the gaushala to accept the challenge of the ruling coalition, but were not allowed.&rdquo;
Reaffirming his allegations, Karunakar Reddy maintained, &ldquo;I still stand by what I said on the issue, and even the TTD version is that 170 cows died since June 2025, after the coalition government took office, though the figure I have is much higher.&rdquo;
The confrontation at the gaushala has intensified political friction between the NDA and YSRCP leaders, bringing renewed scrutiny to the administration and welfare of animals under TTD&rsquo;s care.
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(With inputs from IANS)
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YSRCP's claims of mass cow deaths lead to standoff with NDA at Tirupati gaushala amid tight police presence

NDA, YSRCP in War of Words Over Tirupati Gaushala Cow Deaths

YSRCP's claims of mass cow deaths lead to standoff with NDA at Tirupati gaushala amid tight police presence

April 17, 2025 | 19:15 IST