VIJAYAWADA: Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday sparked a controversy by alleging that animal fat was mixed in the ghee used to prepare the famous Tirumala laddu during the term of the previous YSRCP government led by YS Jagan Mohan Reddy. YSRCP denied the allegations and said Naidu was making wild statements for political reasons.
Naidu said that he was astonished to find that poor quality material was used to prepare Lord Venkateswara‘s ‘prasadam’.He made the comments during an NDA meeting here marking 100 days of his government. The temple trust prepares about 3 lakh laddus daily and the ‘prasadam’ is held in high regard by devotees.
Terming Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) and Lord Venkateswara the greatest asset of the people of Andhra Pradesh, Naidu said that NDA government was taking all measures to restore the sanctity of the temple. “They (YSRCP govt) have spoiled the quality of the free food service and did not even leave Lord Venkateswara’s laddu by using substandard ingredients,” he said.
During YSRCP’s tenure in government, TTD had given the ghee supply contract to a private contractor, replacing the ‘Nandini’ brand of ghee, a product of Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF). Following the change in supplier, there were several complaints over the quality of the laddu. NDA govt on Aug 29 signed a contract once again with KMF for ghee. TTD utilises about 10,000 kg of ghee every day for the laddu ‘prasadam.’
Senior YSRCP functionary, YV Subba Reddy, who was the TTD chairman during YSRCP’s term, took to X and defended his party saying that Naidu had committed a sin by hurting the sentiments of millions of Hindus.
Naidu said that he was astonished to find that poor quality material was used to prepare Lord Venkateswara‘s ‘prasadam’.He made the comments during an NDA meeting here marking 100 days of his government. The temple trust prepares about 3 lakh laddus daily and the ‘prasadam’ is held in high regard by devotees.
Terming Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) and Lord Venkateswara the greatest asset of the people of Andhra Pradesh, Naidu said that NDA government was taking all measures to restore the sanctity of the temple. “They (YSRCP govt) have spoiled the quality of the free food service and did not even leave Lord Venkateswara’s laddu by using substandard ingredients,” he said.
During YSRCP’s tenure in government, TTD had given the ghee supply contract to a private contractor, replacing the ‘Nandini’ brand of ghee, a product of Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF). Following the change in supplier, there were several complaints over the quality of the laddu. NDA govt on Aug 29 signed a contract once again with KMF for ghee. TTD utilises about 10,000 kg of ghee every day for the laddu ‘prasadam.’
Senior YSRCP functionary, YV Subba Reddy, who was the TTD chairman during YSRCP’s term, took to X and defended his party saying that Naidu had committed a sin by hurting the sentiments of millions of Hindus.