Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday alleged that nearly 60 lakh kilograms of “adulterated ghee” was used to prepare more than 20 crore consecrated laddus at the Tirumala temple during the previous YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) regime.
Participating in a short discussion in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly on the alleged “sacrilege of the holy laddu prasadam of Lord Venkateswara Swamy,” Naidu claimed that organised syndicates were involved in the supply of adulterated ghee to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), which manages the renowned hill shrine at Tirumala Venkateswara Temple.
“There was a conspiracy angle in the adulterated ghee supply issue. They became a syndicate. All these are proved in the forensic evidence,” Naidu told the House while presenting details of the alleged irregularities.
According to the Chief Minister, 59.71 lakh kg of ghee supplied to TTD between 2019 and 2024 was found to be adulterated. He alleged that over 20 crore laddus were prepared during this period using the compromised ingredient.
Naidu further stated that TTD had spent approximately Rs 234.51 crore to procure the ghee in question. He termed the alleged act as an “organised crime” and accused the previous regime of committing sacrilege by compromising the sanctity of the sacred prasadam, thereby hurting the sentiments of devotees.
The Chief Minister also claimed that there were multiple attacks on temples during the tenure of former Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy between 2019 and 2024.
Naidu said his allegations were based on findings in a report by the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB). He recalled that during an NDA meeting in 2024, he had raised concerns that substandard ingredients and animal fats were allegedly used in the preparation of the revered laddus.
Meanwhile, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) submitted its final charge sheet in the case before a Nellore ACB court in January last week. The matter has sparked political controversy in the state, with further legal proceedings expected based on the findings submitted to the court.
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