Amaravati, Feb 8 (NationPress) YSR Congress Party leader and former minister Kurasala Kannababu has on Sunday accused Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu of persistently bringing up the Tirupati laddu controversy to shift focus from what he terms as the failures of his administration.

While addressing the media in Kakinada, Kannababu stated that despite holding power for 20 months, the government has not fulfilled its major promises and resorts to the laddu debate whenever it is confronted with critique.

As the North Andhra regional coordinator of the YSRCP, he alleged that for political purposes, Chandrababu Naidu is undermining the sanctity of Tirumala, affecting Hindu sentiments, and trying to politically undermine YS Jagan Mohan Reddy through what he calls false information.

Kannababu noted that even after the Supreme Court-monitored CBI Special Investigation Team (SIT) confirmed that there was no proof of animal fat adulteration, the ruling alliance continues its misinformation campaign. He also indicated that the ghee samples referenced in this controversy were collected after the coalition took power, and that approvals for Bhole Baba Dairy were originally granted during Chandrababu Naidu's previous term.

He pointed out that the SIT report notably recorded that ghee tankers which were turned away by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) during the coalition government's watch re-entered the system through unauthorized means and were subsequently utilized, yet the blame is being placed on the YSRCP.

Kannababu criticized coalition leaders for questioning how ghee could be bought at low prices, reminding them that ghee was supplied at even lower rates during Chandrababu Naidu's prior administration. He denounced assertions that adulterated laddus reached even Ayodhya, labeling such claims as irresponsible and unrelated to the TTD, as these consignments were dispatched by individual board members.

He emphasized that former TTD chairman Y.V. Subba Reddy sought a CBI investigation in the Supreme Court because he had nothing to conceal, and alleged that the ruling faction began its propaganda even before the investigation was completed. He questioned whether involving a deity revered by millions in political disputes was not an affront to faith.

Kannababu accused Chandrababu Naidu of assaulting Hindu dharma outright, claiming that after being exposed by the SIT findings, the Chief Minister has introduced new allegations such as the supposed use of toilet cleaning chemicals in laddu production to perpetuate the controversy.

He further alleged that Chandrababu Naidu is attempting to leverage BJP support to politically target the YSRCP and YS Jagan Mohan Reddy. In contrast, he highlighted the previous YSRCP government's record, which he claims safeguarded Hindu interests, constructed around 3,000 temples, built temples dedicated to Lord Venkateswara in various cities, and issued directives recognizing the seven hills of Tirumala while prohibiting non-Hindu religious propagation there. He accused the current ruling coalition of failing to safeguard temples and presiding over their neglect.

Kannababu further alleged that when YSRCP leaders demand apologies for what they refer to as false claims, they encounter abuse, attacks, and police cases. He reported incidents involving petrol bombs and acid bottles, vandalism at leaders’ residences, and the misuse of police machinery to intimidate the opposition, labeling the situation as “jungle raj”.