In a ongoing political controversy surrounding the Tirupati Prasad adulteration, former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy accused his predecessor, N. Chandrababu Naidu, of trying to damage the reputation of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD). In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Reddy alleged that Naidu is deliberately attempting to tarnish the integrity of TTD for political gains by falsely claiming that the ghee used in preparing the famous Tirupati laddoo prasadam during the YSRCP government contained animal fat.
Reddy defended the e-tendering process for ghee procurement, which has been in place for decades, including during Naidu’s tenure. According to Reddy, the procurement is based solely on the price and qualifications of bidders, with no changes to the process under his government. He labeled Naidu‘s accusations as politically motivated lies, intended to harm the beliefs of millions of devotees and degrade the sanctity of the temple.
The controversy erupted after Naidu publicly claimed that animal fat was found in the prasadam ghee during the YSRCP administration. Nara Lokesh, Andhra Pradesh’s minister and Naidu’s son, supported the allegations, citing a government lab report from July that purportedly confirmed the presence of animal fat. Lokesh assured the public that strong action would be taken, including a possible CBI investigation, and that the Chief Minister would introduce structural changes to ensure the issue does not recur in the future.
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This political dispute has stirred emotions among devotees and brought the reputation of the TTD into the spotlight, with both parties trading accusations over the sacred offering of prasadam at the world-renowned Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple in Tirupati.