In recent days, allegations have surfaced against Sambasiva Rao, the personal assistant (PA) to Andhra Pradesh Minister Nara Lokesh. The issue at hand? The alleged misuse of his position to secure VIP darshan tickets at the revered Tirumala temple—something that has left many devotees frustrated and questioning the fairness of the system.
According to a report, Sambasiva Rao reportedly sent daily recommendation letters to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Joint Executive Officer (JEO), requesting special VIP access for devotees. What has stirred controversy is the claim that he falsely presented himself as being linked to the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) to increase his influence. Reports suggest he was issuing more than a dozen recommendation letters every day, despite having no official authority to do so.
For many regular devotees, this has raised serious concerns. The TTD has strict guidelines regarding VIP recommendations, typically permitting ministers to submit only two requests per day. However, with an apparent increase in VIP allocations, ordinary pilgrims have been left facing longer wait times for their turn to seek blessings at the temple.
This controversy has reignited the debate over favoritism in religious spaces, with many questioning whether administrative loopholes are being unfairly exploited by those in power. If these allegations are found to be true, it may push authorities to enforce stricter regulations on VIP ticket distributions, ensuring that access to temple darshan remains equitable for all.
