Vijayawada (Andhra Pradesh) [India], September 27 (ANI): Coming down heavily on Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu over Tirupati Laddu Prasadam Row, former CM and YSRCP leader Jagan Mohan Reddy on Friday said that “the demon rule is continuing in the state” and that they’re trying to obstruct his upcoming visit to the Tirumala temple.
Reddy also accused CM Naidu of “blatantly lying” about the Tirupati Laddu Prasadam, adding that the ghee procurement e-tender is a routine process that has been happening for decades.
“The demon rule is continuing in the state. The government is trying to obstruct my upcoming visit to the Tirumala temple. Police have issued notices to YSRCP leaders across the state regarding the temple visit. The notice states that the visit to the Tirumala temple is not permitted, and the program organised by YSRCP does not have the necessary approval. Consequently, leaders are not allowed to participate in that programme,” Reddy said while addressing a press conference.
He further alleged that Andhra CM Naidu has brought up the Laddu issue to shift the political focus.
“On one side, they are serving notices to obstruct my temple visit, while on the other side, BJP cadres are coming into the state from elsewhere, and a large number of police are deployed at multiple locations. I don’t know if the BJP leadership is aware of this. To shift the political focus, CM Chandrababu Naidu has brought up the laddu issue. CM Chandrababu Naidu is portraying that animal fat was used in the laddu prasadam manufacturing, which questions the sanctity and pride of Tirumala. Is this justified? Chandrababu Naidu is blatantly lying on TTD Laddu Prasadam,” the YSRCP leader said.
“CM Chandrababu Naidu is telling lies. The ghee procurement e-tender is a routine process that has been happening for decades, every 6 months. Tirupati Laddu is very special. Since my childhood, I know that it is very special. The tender process takes place every 6 months, it’s a routine. It has been happening for years. Anyone who qualifies can participate,” he added.
Reddy said that the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) board members are also recommended by the Union Ministers and other state CMs. He said that the TTD has a robust mechanism, adding that the tankers that come to Thirumala should have an NABL (National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories) certificate.
“Every 6 months, tenders (for Laddu) are called and the L1, who quotes for lower prices, gets approved by the TTD board. There is no government interference. The TTD board is also very special. Union Ministers and other state CMs also recommend the board members. The tenders of TTD were called as per routine and the suppliers were given as per the tender auction. TTD has a robust mechanism. The tankers that come to Thirumala should have an NABL certificate. The suppliers should get the tankers certified and produce the certificate,” he said.
“During the Chandrababu Naidu regime from 2014 to 2019, nearly 14-15 times, the ghee was rejected due to quality issues. There is a robust process. Similarly, from 2019 to 2024, 18 times it was rejected and sent back. Whatever I am saying is all facts,” the YSRCP leader added.
Reddy has slammed Naidu for spreading falsehoods about the Tirupati Laddu Prasadam. He pointed out that in July 2024, during Naidu’s regime, four tankers of ghee failed quality tests. Reddy highlighted that the TTD issued a show cause notice to the company responsible for the refused tankers and ensured the substandard material was not used.
“Four tankers failed the test in July during Chandrababu Naidu’s regime in 2024. The samples from those tankers should have been sent to CFTRI Mysore, but instead, they were sent to NDDB for the first time. TTD issued a show-cause notice to the company responsible for the refused tankers. The refused tanker material was not used by TTD, yet Chandrababu Naidu claims that adulterated ghee was used. I question how adulterated ghee could have been used in Prasad manufacturing if the tankers were sent back,” he said.
“The TTD Executive Officer, recruited by Chandrababu Naidu, confirmed on July 23 that vegetable fat oil that is Vanaspati Oil was involved and a show-cause notice was issued to the suppliers. The TTD EO later confirmed on September 20 that adulterated ghee was not used for making Laddu prasadam. Chandrababu Naidu, even after EO submitted the reports, CM Chandrababu is spreading false allegations about our party and on Hindu sentiments and questions about the sanctity of Tirumala prasad and temple,” the YSRCP leader added.
Hitting back, TDP National Spokesperson Komma Reddy Pattabhiram called Reddy ‘anti-Hindu’ for not signing the decleration that is required to have a darshan of Lord Balaji.
“By cancelling his trip to the Trimula, Jagan Reddy has proved that he is anti-Hindu and he suffers from Hindu-phobia. The only thing that he had to do to have a darshan of Lord Balaji, is to sign a decleration, which has played a role in TTD for the past more than 3 decades. Special government order was passed way back in 1990, which states that any person belonging to a religion other than Hindu is supposed to sign a small decleration, and he had to take permission from the concerned authority after signing the decleration to have a darshan of Lord Balaji,” he said.
“So what problem does Jagan Reddy have in signing this declearation. People like APJ Abdul Kalam, who visited Tirumala as President of this country, had signed this declaration because he was a Muslim. Many other leaders in our country have done this,” he added.
“This clearly has proved that Reddy is anti-Hindu and you enjoy hurting the sentiments of Hindus. On one hand, you and your gang of people have adulterated, just to loot money from ghee tenders. After doing such a sin, now you’re saying that you will not sign this decleration and you cancelled your trip,” the TDP spokesperson added.
The row over the Tirupati Prasadam began after Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu claimed that substandard ingredients, including animal fat, were used in the preparation of Tirupati laddus, the Prasdam offered at the Sri Venkateswara temple in Tirupati, during the previous YSRCP government. (ANI)
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