Durga temple yet to get new board in Vijayawada

Vijayawada: The state government has not yet appointed the chairman and members for the trust board of Kanakadurga temple though the previous board members had submitted their resignations after the election results were announced. The important nine-day Dasara celebration will commence in the last week of September.

MLAs of the ruling YSR Congress are eagerly waiting for the government's decision on the appointment of the trust board for the temple. The MLAs and senior leaders have plans to fill the board with their followers.

It may be noted that the state government has already appointed chairman for Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) after YSRCP came to power. The Durga temple has also got recognition as the second prominent temple in the state after TTD. The temple has assumed more prominence for its proximity to Amaravati capital.

In this backdrop, there is huge competition for Durga temple trust board posts. According to sources, now the question is whether the post would be filled with any MLA of the party or a senior leader. So far, the state government used to fill the posts with senior party leaders.

Probably, the post may be given to a senior leader in the party. But Chief Minister Y S Jagan may also appoint an MLA in the post in his style, the sources said.

Meanwhile, the second rung leaders and senior leaders of YSRCP have already started discussions about board member positions of Durga temple. Presently, Vijayawada West MLA Velampalli Srinivas is the minister for endowment department.

The state government may appoint the trust board with chairman and members before the Dasara festival celebrations. Otherwise, a temple festival committee would be appointed soon on ad hoc basis, the sources added.