Oberoi hotel row: TDP says swap done to safeguard religious sentiments; claims allotment done by previous government | India News
NEW DELHI: The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) on Tuesday refuted claims by the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) regarding land allocation to Oberoi Hotels, saying the allotment was made by the previous government in 2021.TDP national spokesperson Jyothsna Tirunagari dismissed allegations by senior YSRCP leader B Karunakar Reddy that chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu “conspired” to hand over valuable Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) property to Oberoi Hotels. She accused former CM Jagan Mohan Reddy of creating a “false narrative” aimed at deterring investors from the state.According to Tirunagari, the YSRCP government, in November 2021 through GO No 24, allotted 20 acres of a 50-acre plot owned by the Tourism Department to the Oberoi Group for developing a resort. The allotment was made in the name of Oberoi’s Special Purpose Vehicle, Mumtaz Hotels Ltd.However, protests arose from some groups citing religious objections to the allotment. After the TDP-led NDA government assumed office, the TTD requested that the allotment be cancelled to ensure the land was used only for purposes respecting the sanctity and spirituality of Tirumala.Following a review, Naidu’s government cancelled the allotment to Mumtaz Hotels in August 2025 through a government order and provided an alternative piece of land for the project.“It is very clear that the state government led by Chandrababu Naidu is very keen on two issues. One safeguard the interests of the investors who are trying to come, intend to invest in Andhra Pradesh and also at the same time taking into consideration the religious sentiments of the people,” Tirunagri said.She added that the tourism department had acquired alternate land for the Oberoi Group and the allotment had been approved by the State Investment Promotion Committee in its meeting on August 22.YSRCP leader Karunakar Reddy had claimed on Sunday that 20 acres of prime TTD land in Tirupati, valued at Rs 1,500 crore, was exchanged for lower-value rural land, resulting in an alleged loss of Rs 1,000 crore. He accused Naidu of masterminding a conspiracy to surrender valuable TTD property to Oberoi Hotels under the guise of a land exchange.The TTD, however, rejected these allegations, describing them as “incorrect and misleading” regarding the land allotments.
