Advertisement of Jerusalem yatra and Haj pilgrimage on bus tickets in the temple town of Tirupati has sparked a row on August 26, compelling Andhra Pradesh government to order a probe.

State Endowments Minister Vellampalli Srinivas said some of the tickets of Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) that were supposed to be issued from Nellore depot have been diverted to Tirupati. He said instructions were given for strict action against the erring officials.

He said Telugu Desam Party and Bharatiya Janata Party leaders were trying to level baseless allegations against Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy for every small issue with the “help of its friendly media” and trying to create untoward situation.

“We will take action against all those who are purporting the vicious propaganda and trying to blame the state for such sensitive issues,” he said.

The minister said it was the previous TDP government which had given the contract for printing of religious material on the back-side of the RTC bus tickets.

Condemning the incident, BJP demanded action against those responsible for what it calls hurting the sentiments of Hindus.