NDA Leaders Address Tirumala Laddu Controversy
Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh – Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, BJP State President PVN Madhav, and other NDA leaders held a press conference on Thursday regarding the Tirumala laddu adulteration row. CM Naidu called the alleged adulteration a grave sin against devotees’ faith. He also clarified that no report has cleared the previous YSRCP regime.
Alleged Sacrilege Under the Previous Regime
Speaking at the CM’s Camp Office, Naidu said the issue deeply affects public sentiment. He alleged that sacrilege occurred under YSRCP rule, compromising the revered prasadam of Lord Venkateswara, his family deity. Furthermore, he recalled surviving a claymore mine attack in 2003 during the Pranadanam programme. He described it as a blessing from the Lord.
Government Action and Investigations
The CM stated that the previous government ignored warnings from the Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) in 2022 about adulteration. After taking office, his government collected laddu samples and sent them to the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) for testing. SIT and laboratory reports confirmed that ghee was mixed with chemicals and palm oil. Consequently, Naidu called it an unforgivable act that harmed lakhs of devotees over five years.
No Clean Chit for YSRCP
Naidu rejected claims that YSRCP received a clean chit. He explained that the CBI report does not certify the absence of adulteration. Additionally, he warned that intimidation and false narratives from the accused would not succeed. Following the CBI’s recommendations, the government has formed a one-man committee to examine the report. The committee will identify lapses, fix responsibility, and recommend follow-up actions. Appropriate measures will follow once the committee submits its findings.
Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan on Faith and Responsibility
Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan emphasized the government speaks responsibly on sensitive faith issues. He said no report has cleared the case yet. Moreover, allegations involving animal fat are extremely sensitive and cannot be ignored. Kalyan accused the opposition of spreading false propaganda instead of admitting mistakes. He warned that those who tamper with matters of faith will face serious consequences.
BJP Condemns Adulterated Practices
BJP State President PVN Madhav criticised the previous YSRCP regime, calling it “adulterated thinking” that harmed devotees’ faith and public health. He said chemically processed ghee in laddus is dangerous. Madhav added that the current government is committed to restoring transparency and sanctity in temple administration.
Protecting Tirumala Is a Collective Duty
The NDA leaders concluded that safeguarding Lord Venkateswara and Tirumala’s sanctity is a collective responsibility. They reiterated that YSRCP has received no clean chit in the Tirumala laddu adulteration case.
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