Ambani Man Friday eyes Tirupati post

Reliance Industries Limited and the Kadapa MP, Mr Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, are among the several vested interest entities lobbying to get their nominees posted as chairman of the Tirupati Urban Development Authority.

The Tuda chairman is automatically elevated as member of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams Board and this has generated all the hectic lobbying and string pulling.

Sources close to the Chief Minister, Mr K. Rosaiah, told this newspaper that he had got a representation to appoint Mr Lokadri Naidu, a liaison officer in RIL, as chairman of the civic body.

Mr Lokadri Naidu arranges special VVIP darshan not only for the RIL chairman, Mr Mukesh Ambani, but also for several others important to the company’s interests. He also has the blessings of former CM, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu, it is learnt.

Even as RIL is lobbying to get its man on board, Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy’s, is also trying to get the government to re-nominate the present chairman and his close associate, Mr Ch Bhaskar Reddy, who was jailed for attacks against Reliance establishments a few months ago.

Mr Bhaskar Reddy’s term ended on April 15. He was a follower of YSR and later shifted his loyalties.

Another YSR loyalist, Mr B. Karunakar Reddy, who earlier served as Tuda chairman, is also looking for a second term. It is learnt that the former minister, Mr R. Changa Reddy, is also in the race. He is using his friendship with the Chief Minister to get the post. Another contender is the former Tirupati MLA, Mr M. Venkata Ramana.