BJP initiates discussions to choose Delhi's CM; CBI-led SIT arrests four in Tirupati laddu scam

BJP Begins Delhi CM Selection Process as CBI Arrests Four in Tirupati Laddu Scam

In a day of significant developments across two different spheres, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has quietly begun deliberations to select its chief ministerial face for Delhi, while 800 kilometers away, a CBI-led Special Investigation Team (SIT) made arrests in the multi-crore Tirupati laddu scam that has shaken devotees' trust.  

Political circles in the national capital are abuzz as BJP's Delhi unit holds closed-door meetings to finalize its leadership strategy ahead of potential elections. With the Aam Aadmi Party currently governing Delhi, BJP insiders reveal the party is carefully weighing several high-profile names including former Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari, cricketer-turned-politician Gautam Gambhir, and Leader of Opposition Ramvir Singh Bidhuri. The decision, expected to be finalized after consultations with the central leadership, could significantly impact Delhi's political landscape.  

Meanwhile, in Tirupati, the CBI's investigation into the alleged misappropriation of funds from the sacred laddu prasadam sales took a dramatic turn with the arrest of four individuals, including two former Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) employees. The accused - an ex-accountant, a supervisor and two contractors - allegedly created a sophisticated racket involving fake invoices and manipulated sales records to siphon off crores from the temple's offerings.  

Devotees expressed shock at the revelations, with many questioning how such malpractice could occur at one of India's most revered pilgrimage sites. "The laddu prasadam isn't just a sweet - it's divine blessing. This scam hurts our religious sentiments," said Venkateshwar Rao, a regular visitor to the hill shrine. TTD officials have pledged complete cooperation with investigators while promising systemic reforms to restore trust.  

As the BJP works to position itself as a credible alternative in Delhi's political arena, the CBI's action in Tirupati underscores the government's emphasis on accountability in public institutions. Both developments, though unrelated, highlight the complex interplay of governance, public trust and electoral calculations in contemporary India.