Tirupati Prasad Controversy: Jagan Accuses CM Naidu-Led TDP Of ‘Politicising Religious Matters’, Approaches HC

Tirupati Prasad Controversy: Former Andhra Pradesh CM Jagan Reddy also claimed that the prasad issue has been used to divert attention from floods and law and order issues in Andhra Pradesh.

Tirupati Prasad Controversy: In a first statement after the allegation of use of adultrated products in the laddus provided at Tirumala temple by the then YSRCP government, former Andhra Pradesh CM and YSRCP chief Jagan Mohan Reddy slammed CM Chandrababu Naidu of using the Tirupati ghee issue for diversionary politics and using god for 'political gains'. Earlier, Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu asserted that animal fat was used in Tirupati laddus under the previous YSRCP government which sparked a significant political uproar on Thursday. 

Addressing the reporters on Friday, former Andhra Pradesh CM said, "Chandrababu Naidu is doing diversionary politics on ghee issue. To use the name of god for politics is of low standards." 

Jagan Reddy claimed that the prasad issue has been used to divert attention from Andhra Pradesh floods and law and order issues in the state. He criticised CM, accusing him of deceiving all communities within his first hundred days in office. He claimed that the allegations of adulterated ghee at Tirumala were a deliberate diversion. Jagan expressed shock at such tactics, calling it the most surprising distraction of all. He further accused Chandrababu of being unjust, even going so far as to use religious matters for political gain.

He said that no one has done such injustice in the world. Jagan Reddy said, "There are no unjust politicians like Chandrababu in this universe."

Ex-CM Jagan Mohan Reddy said: "The tender process occurs every six months, and the qualification criteria has not changed for decades. Suppliers must provide an NABL certificate and a product quality certificate. TTD collects samples from the ghee, and only products that pass certification are used. TDP is politicizing religious matters. We have rejected the products in our regime 18 times."

YS Jagan Mohan Reddy also said that he would write to Chief Justice of India to explain that Naidu has twisted facts. He said, “I am writing a letter to the Chief Justice of India explaining to him as to how Chandrababu Naidu has twisted the facts and why action should be taken against him for having done so.” 

Tirumala Laddu Controversy: YSRCP Moves Court

At the High Court, the lawyer representing YSRCP mentioned about the allegation made by Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu regarding Tirumala Laddu prasadam.

They requested that either a sitting judge or a committee appointed by the HC investigate the claims made by the CM. Following this, the bench said that a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) would be filed on Wednesday. They also said that the arguments would be heard on that day. 

Meanwhile, the YSRCP condemned Naidu for making "heinous allegations" for political advantage, while the TDP shared a lab report to substantiate their claims.

During an NDA legislative meeting on Wednesday, Naidu accused the former YS Jagan Mohan Reddy-led administration of tainting the sanctity of the Tirupati temple by using substandard ingredients, including animal fat, in the preparation of laddus.

TDP spokesperson Anam Venkata Ramana Reddy, at a press briefing, claimed that a Gujarat-based livestock lab had confirmed the adulteration of ghee samples provided by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), which oversees the Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple.