Amaravati, Feb 5 (NationPress) Refuting any clean slate for the YSR Congress Party in the Tirupati laddu adulteration scandal, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu affirmed on Thursday that those responsible will face consequences. The CBI has presented a report to the state administration to take action against the implicated individuals, Naidu stated.

The Chief Minister announced that a one-person committee has been formed to thoroughly investigate the report, pinpoint lapses, and assign accountability.

Once the committee finalizes its assessment, the government will undertake necessary actions based on the findings, he noted during a press briefing alongside Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, BJP State President P.V.N. Madhav, and various ministers.

He emphasized that they are sharing the facts with the public, labeling the alleged adulteration of Tirumala laddu prasadam as a serious violation of devotees' trust and insisted that no report has cleared the YSRCP in this matter.

The situation is directly tied to public sentiment, he alleged, indicating that desecration of the Lord’s prasadam occurred during the prior YSRCP administration.

The Chief Minister claimed that despite explicit warnings from the Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) in 2022 regarding adulteration, the findings were concealed, and no actions were taken. Following his assumption of office, his administration collected laddu samples and submitted them to the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) for testing.

Referring to the SIT and lab reports, he indicated that ghee was manufactured with chemicals and palm oil, along with other contaminants, describing it as a severe offense and an unforgivable sin. He alleged that millions of devotees received adulterated laddus over the last five years, resulting in fear and emotional distress.

Countering claims of a clean slate, the Chief Minister clarified that the CBI report does not state anywhere that there was no adulteration. He accused the guilty of spreading misinformation and engaging in counterattacks to distract attention. He warned that threats and rowdiness will not prevail, emphasizing that strict penalties will be enforced on those found guilty.

Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan remarked that the government addresses sensitive issues of faith with responsibility and caution, asserting, "No report has cleared anyone so far. Allegations involving animal fat are highly sensitive and should not be treated lightly." He added that the government only spoke after scrutinizing the evidence found in the NDDB CALF test report.

He highlighted that the issue touches upon Hindu faith and sentiments, accusing the opposition of attacking the government and disseminating false propaganda instead of recognizing any mistakes made. He cautioned that those who tamper with matters of faith and divinity will ultimately face dire repercussions in their lives.

BJP state President Madhav criticized the YSRCP, stating that the Tirumala laddu scandal exemplified the "adulterated thinking and corrupt governance" of the former administration. "Producing laddus with chemically processed and tainted ghee is hazardous, severely offends devotees’ feelings, and jeopardizes public health. The current government is devoted to reinstating transparency and sanctity in temple governance," he concluded.