YSRCP Leader Accuses Chandrababu of Politicizing Tirupati Laddu Controversy
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Synopsis
YSRCP leader Bhumana Karunakar Reddy criticizes CM Chandrababu Naidu for politicizing the Tirupati laddu adulteration issue. Reddy claims Naidu misled the public and that the SIT found no evidence of adulteration in the ghee.
Key Takeaways
- Chandrababu Naidu accused of exploiting laddu issue.
- SIT found no evidence of adulteration in ghee.
- Previous government implemented strict quality control measures.
- Reddy highlights rejection of substandard ghee.
- Public outcry over Naidu's allegations.
Tirupati, Feb 11 (NationPress) YSR Congress Party leader and former chairman of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) Bhumana Karunakar Reddy criticized Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu for attempting to exploit the Tirupati laddu controversy for political gain.
Following the arrest of four individuals by the Special Investigation Team (SIT), which was appointed by the Supreme Court to investigate claims of laddu adulteration, Reddy pointed out that the remand reports did not indicate any adulteration of ghee used in the preparation of the holy sweet. This indicates that Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan have been misleading the public and politicizing the matter, Reddy told reporters on Tuesday.
The YSRCP leader stated that it was Naidu who first alleged that the ghee used for making the laddu contained animal fat, which provoked the Supreme Court to order an investigation by the SIT. Nevertheless, the remand reports of the arrested individuals do not mention any adulteration, he noted.
Reddy asserted that the previous administration under YS Jagan Mohan Reddy had implemented comprehensive measures to ensure the quality of the ghee. “We enhanced quality control protocols by increasing the number of sampling points and improving laboratory facilities,” said the former TTD chairman.
He mentioned that they had rejected truckloads of ghee on 19 occasions due to failure in quality control tests, making the question of adulteration irrelevant. He reiterated that Chandrababu Naidu has raised this issue for his personal advantage.
Previously, YSRCP leader and former minister Ambati Rambabu claimed that Naidu is attempting to conceal his falsehoods regarding the Tirupati laddu issue by disseminating misinformation and making arrests with hidden agendas.
On February 9, the SIT arrested four individuals from organizations supplying ghee to TTD.
Bipin Jain and Pomil Jain, former directors of Bhole Baba Dairy (Roorkee, Uttarakhand), Vaishnavi Dairy (Poonambakkam) CEO Apoorva Vinay Kant Chawda, and AR Dairy (Dundigal) MD Raju Rajasekharan were taken into custody and placed in judicial remand.
Chief Minister Naidu alleged on September 18, 2024, that the ghee used for preparing the Tirupati laddu during the YSR Congress Party's governance was tainted with animal fat. This has caused outrage among devotees of the renowned temple.
The state government established a SIT to investigate the allegations, which was later replaced by a SIT involving both central and state officials.
