Ahead of bypolls, TDP to hold 10-day rally in Tirupati to 'safeguard Hindu dharma'

Ahead of Tirupati parliamentary by-polls, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) Chief N Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday anunced a ten-day-long campaign, named 'Dharma Parirakshana Yatra', to ‘safeguard Hindu dharma’ in Andhra Pradesh.

Set to commence on January 21, yatra will cover 700 vills in Tirupati Parliamentary constituency, over course of 10 days. anuncement from TDP comes days after BJP anunced a Rath Yatra planned in early February, to protest against YSRCP government’s alleged negligence in preventing temple attacks over last couple of months. 

Addressing TDP vill committee and booth committee leaders in Tirupati via video conference on Tuesday, Naidu said that it is everyone’s duty to protect holy shrine of Tirumala and city.

Speaking about yatra, TDP spokesperson Kommareddy Pattabhi Ram said that one particular religion is being constantly targeted in state. He said, t only temples, but idols are also being destroyed by miscreants. He alleged that many decisions taken by Jagan Mohan Reddy government are suppressing Hindu religion and yatra is aimed at protecting Hindu dharma. 

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70 designed vehicles to be deployed during rally

yatra will be carried out with 70 specially designed vehicles, which will be deployed to conduct 700 meetings across Tirupati, Pattabhi Ram said. Former CM Chandrababu Naidu, Nara Lokesh, and or senior party leaders will also take part in rally, however, schedule is t finalised yet. TDP also opened a party office in Tirupati on Wednesday. BJP had established its party office in town in December last year. 

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Several times in past, similar campaign rallies organised by TDP have been foiled by police. recent protests against vandalisation of an idol at Ramaertham temple also witnessed tension and arrests of opposition leaders. 

TDP spokesperson said that party always undertakes any program with prior intimation and permission of police. same will be followed during 'Dharma Parirakshana Yatra'. He said rally will be held in a peaceful manner without hurting religious sentiments of those who follow or religions. yatra is only to safeguard one particular dharma as it is under attack, he said. 

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