Tirupati Laddu Controversy Sparks Political Feud Between Naidu and Reddy
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has intensified his criticism of his predecessor, YSRCP leader Jagan Mohan Reddy, over a controversy concerning the Tirupati Balaji temple’s famous prasadam laddoos. Naidu has accused Reddy of allowing the use of animal fat in the making of the laddoos during the previous YSRCP government, a claim that has triggered widespread outrage among devotees and political tensions in the state.
On Sunday, Naidu announced a high-level investigation into the matter, appointing a committee to examine the allegations. Speaking at a press conference in Vijayawada, Naidu asserted that several procedures surrounding the procurement of ghee used in the laddoos had been altered during Reddy’s tenure as chief minister, leading to the use of substandard ingredients. He emphasized that the issue was not only about the quality of the laddoos but also about religious sanctity and public trust in the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD), the governing body of the temple.
Naidu also alleged that under Reddy’s administration, appointments to the TTD board became questionable, with individuals lacking faith or non-Hindus being given preference. He pointed out that the previous requirements for ghee suppliers—such as three years of experience and a turnover of Rs 250 crore—were relaxed to just one year of experience and Rs 150 crore in turnover. He questioned how such changes could ensure the quality of the ghee, particularly when suppliers were offering it at Rs 319 per unit, a price lower than even palm oil at the time.
In response, Jagan Mohan Reddy has firmly denied the accusations, writing a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to request intervention. Reddy accused Naidu of making false claims to damage his reputation and mislead the public. He argued that all procurement processes had followed longstanding practices and that no violations had occurred under his leadership. Reddy’s letter called for Naidu to be reprimanded, asserting that Naidu’s actions had hurt the beliefs of millions of Hindu devotees and tarnished the image of the TTD board. He also questioned why Naidu was raising the issue only now, two months after the alleged adulteration report had surfaced.
Further complicating the matter, Reddy contended that the Tirupati temple’s facilities lacked the necessary equipment to perform thorough testing for adulteration. This point was confirmed by Shamala Rao, a senior official with the TTD, who admitted that the temple had only recently begun outsourcing ghee tests to external labs. Rao explained that, historically, no tests had been conducted on the ghee used in the laddoos, but since the controversy arose, the TTD had taken steps to ensure quality by initiating checks. Rao also revealed that the TTD was in the process of setting up its own in-house testing facilities to ensure the purity of future offerings.
The controversy has now spilled into the courts, with YSRCP leader Y V Subba Reddy filing a petition in the Andhra Pradesh High Court, seeking to establish the facts behind the allegations. The court is scheduled to hear the case soon, and a separate petition has also been lodged with the Supreme Court, claiming that the use of animal fat in the prasadam violates Hindu religious practices and deeply offends the sentiments of devotees.
The dispute, which erupted on Wednesday, has attracted widespread attention, not only for its religious implications but also for its potential impact on Andhra Pradesh’s political landscape. Naidu, who has recently returned to power, accused Reddy of using the issue to distract from his own government’s failures during its 100-day tenure. Reddy, in turn, has argued that Naidu is trying to leverage the controversy for political gain by targeting the religious sensitivities of millions of Hindus.
As the investigation unfolds and the legal battles proceed, the Tirupati laddoo row has become a focal point of political discourse in the state. Both leaders are positioning themselves as protectors of religious sanctity, while also seeking to undermine each other’s credibility. The outcome of the court proceedings and the government inquiry will likely shape the political dynamics of Andhra Pradesh in the coming months, with both Naidu and Reddy keenly aware of the high stakes involved in this controversy.