<p>Tirumala Tirupati stampede has triggered contrasting responses from Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and his Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan on Thursday. While CM Chandrababu Naidu blamed Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) officials and police, DCM Pawan Kalyan apologised to nation on the behalf of the state government. </p>
<p>Six devotees lost their lives and nearly 40 others sustained injuries when chaos erupted at Bairagi Patteda near MGM School in Tirupati on Wednesday. Devotees from across the country had gathered for tokens for the Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam, set to commence on January 10.</p>
<h3>CM Naidu Suspends Officials</h3>
<p>Chandrababu Naidu criticised the TTD officials and police for inadequate planning and crowd management. He also blamed the previous YSRCP government for introducing “new practices” in ticket distribution. </p>
<p>On Wednesday, the CM ordered a judicial inquiry into the incident and suspected two officials. Naidu told PTI, “In the past, so many problems have come up. We are correcting everything, starting with prasadam (consecrated food), annadanam (free food to devotees), even cottages, administration and everything. All of a sudden this incident happened.” “This incident also happened due to a legacy problem. Never in my lifetime tokens were given in Tirupati for ‘darshan’ (to see the deity). For the last five years, they (YSRCP) introduced new practices.”</p>
<p>The CM pointed out loopholes in administration and monitoring and stated that adequate precautions were not taken during the token distribution process. </p>
<h3>DCM Pawan Kalyan Apologises To Nation </h3>
<p>On the other hand, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan took a more apologetic tone. He apologised to the public on behalf of the state government. After visiting the injured, he expressed disappointment over reports of delayed police response and gaps in coordination between the TTD Executive Officer and Board.</p>
<p>Pawan Kalyan emphasised the need to shift focus from VIP arrangements to public safety, stating: “To the entire nation, to the entire country, to the entire Sanatani believers, to Hindu Samaj, from the state government (side), I profusely (apologise), my wholehearted apologies for what had happened. It is the responsibility of the TTD EO (executive officer) and JEO.”</p>
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