Andhra Pradesh Political Storm: Chandrababu Naidu Accuses YSRCP of Using Animal Fats in Sacred Tirupati Laddu, YSRCP Strikes Back

In a dramatic escalation of political tensions in Andhra Pradesh, former Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has ignited controversy with allegations against the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) regarding the sacred Tirupati Laddu prasadam. On Wednesday, Naidu claimed that during the YSRCP’s rule from 2019 to 2024, the revered Laddu offered at the Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple was made using animal fats instead of the traditional ghee.

Speaking at a press conference, Naidu expressed his outrage, stating, “It is an affront to the religious sentiments of millions of devotees. The sacred Laddu prasadam, which holds immense spiritual significance, was compromised. Shame on Jagan Mohan Reddy and the YSRCP government for this disrespect.”

The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), which manages the temple, has been embroiled in scrutiny and controversy over the quality of the Laddu prasadam, with frequent criticisms from the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) during the YSRCP’s tenure. The TDP had previously alleged a decline in quality, a point Naidu’s latest allegations have now intensified.

In response, the YSRCP has vehemently denied Naidu’s accusations. The party condemned Naidu’s statements as damaging and inflammatory, asserting that such allegations are an affront to the sanctity of the Tirumala temple and an attack on the faith of countless Hindus. “Chandrababu Naidu’s remarks are baseless and vile. No one with a sense of decency would utter such blasphemous accusations,” the YSRCP stated in a rebuttal.

The TTD has taken steps to address quality concerns, including an in-house assessment with dairy experts. The temple management recently set up a new sensory perception laboratory and is training its staff at a quality institute in Mysore to ensure the Laddu prasadam meets the highest standards.

As the controversy continues to unfold, it has further polarized the political landscape in Andhra Pradesh, with both sides entrenched in a heated debate over the sanctity and management of one of the state’s most cherished religious offerings.