Vijayawada

Former Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy sharply criticized current Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu over the ongoing Tirupati Laddu Prasadam controversy. During a press conference on Friday, Reddy stated, ‘The demon rule continues in the state, accusing Naidu’s government of trying to hinder his planned visit to the Tirumala temple. He claimed that police had issued notices to YSRCP leaders, prohibiting their participation in the temple visit’.

Reddy accused Naidu of blatantly lying about the Laddu Prasadam, asserting that the e-tender for ghee procurement is a standard practice conducted every six months for decades. He pointed out that the tender process is transparent and involves recommendations from Union Ministers and other state leaders.

Furthermore, he emphasized the importance of maintaining the quality of ingredients used in the Prasadam, citing previous instances during Naidu’s tenure when ghee was rejected due to quality issues. Reddy challenged Naidu’s claims about adulterated ingredients, noting that a show-cause notice was issued to suppliers after tankers failed quality tests.

In response, TDP spokesperson Komma Reddy Pattabhiram labeled Reddy anti-Hindu for not signing a declaration required for a darshan of Lord Balaji, a claim that added fuel to the controversy. The dispute escalated after Naidu alleged that inferior ingredients were used in the preparation of the Tirupati laddus during Reddy’s administration.