NEW DELHI: YSRCP chief Jagan Mohan Reddy on Friday lashed out at the TDP government in Andhra Pradesh, stating that “demons are now in power in the state” as he had “never seen political parties creating hurdles even to make a visit to a temple”.
The former CM launched the attack after he cancelled his trip to Tirumala temple amid the Tirupati laddu row. Reddy was scheduled to reach Tirumala on Friday night and visit the temple for darshan on Saturday.
Hours before his departure from Tadepalle to Tirupati, Jagan decided to cancel his trip amid growing demands for giving ‘declaration of faith’ and security concerns.
‘Belong to community of humanity’
“On one side, they are serving notices to obstruct my temple visit, while on the other side, BJP cadres are coming into the state from elsewhere, and a large number of police are deployed at multiple locations. I don’t know if the BJP leadership is aware of this. To shift the political focus, CM Chandrababu Naidu has brought up the laddu issue. CM Chandrababu Naidu is portraying that animal fat was used in the laddu prasadam manufacturing, which questions the sanctity and pride of Tirumala. Is this justified? Chandrababu Naidu is blatantly lying on TTD Laddu Prasadam,” the former chief minister told the media after cancelling his trip.
On the matter of ‘declaration of faith’, Reddy said: “Many questions have been raised about my caste. I read the Bible at home, and I respect and follow Hinduism, Islam, and Sikhism. I belong to the community of humanity. What does the Constitution say? If a person equivalent to the Chief Minister is not allowed into the temple, I question how Dalits will be treated.”
The YSRCP chief had said he would visit the temple on September 28 as part of a statewide temple rituals called for by the party to atone for the ‘sin’ allegedly committed by CM Naidu through his allegations on Tirupati laddus.
Reddy defends ghee tender process
“CM Chandrababu Naidu is telling lies. The ghee procurement e-tender is a routine process that has been happening for decades, every 6 months. Tirupati Laddu is very special. Since my childhood, I know that it is very special. The tender process takes place every 6 months, it’s a routine. It has been happening for years. Anyone who qualifies can participate,” Reddy said.
“Every 6 months, tenders (for Laddu) are called and the one who quotes for lower prices, gets approved by the TTD board. There is no government interference. The TTD board is also very special. Union Ministers and other state CMs also recommend the board members. The tenders of TTD were called as per routine and the suppliers were given as per the tender auction. TTD has a robust mechanism. The tankers that come to Thirumala should have an NABL certificate. The suppliers should get the tankers certified and produce the certificate,” said the former CM.
“During Chandrababu Naidu regime from 2014 to 2019 nearly 14-15 times, the ghee was rejected due to quality issues. There is a robust process. Similarly from 2019 to 2024, 18 times it was rejected and sent back. Whatever I am saying is all facts,” Reddy added.
‘Adulterated ghee was not used’
“Four tankers failed the test in July during Chandrababu Naidu’s regime in 2024. The samples from those tankers should have been sent to CFTRI Mysore, but instead, they were sent to NDDB in Gujarat for the first time. TTD issued a show-cause notice to the company responsible for the refused tankers. The refused tanker material was not used by TTD, yet Chandrababu Naidu claims that adulterated ghee was used. I question how adulterated ghee could have been used in prasad manufacturing if the tankers were sent back?” Reddy said.
“The TTD Executive Officer, recruited by Chandrababu Naidu, confirmed on July 23 that vegetable fat oil that is Vanaspati Oil was involved and a show-cause notice was issued to the suppliers. The TTD EO later confirmed on September 20 that adulterated ghee was not used for making Laddu prasadam. Chandrababu Naidu, even after EO submitted the reports, is spreading false allegations about our party and on Hindu sentiments and questions about the sanctity of Tirumala prasad and temple,” said Reddy.
Notices to leaders over temple visit: Reddy
YSRCP had alleged that the state police, under orders from Chandrababu Naidu and minister Nara Lokesh, had issued warnings to YSRCP leaders ahead of Reddy’s visit, instructing them not to participate.
After cancelling his trip, Reddy held a press conference in which he said that the cops were “issuing notices to YSRCP leaders and cadres in the wake of my Tirumala visit”.
“Police clearly stated in the notices to YSRCP leaders that visit to Tirumala has no permission … why do we need police permission to visit Temple?” Reddy said, adding that “demons are ruling” the state.
“The demon rule is continuing in the state. The government is trying to obstruct my upcoming visit to the Tirumala temple. Police have issued notices to YSRCP leaders across the state regarding the temple visit. The notice states that the visit to the Tirumala temple is not permitted, and the program organised by YSRCP does not have the necessary approval. Consequently, leaders are not allowed to participate in that programme,” said the YSRCP chief.