Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday alleged that “toilet cleaner” was among the adulterants added to the ghee supplied to the Tirupati Tirumala Devasthanam (TTD) for making Tirupati Laddu during the YSR Congress Party rule in Andhra Pradesh.
N Chandrababu NaiduAddressing a meeting at the “Me Bhumi-Me Hakku” event at Kalugotla village in Yemiganur block of Kurnool district, Naidu reiterated that the ghee supplied to TTD was adulterated with various chemicals, as indicated in the report submitted by the CBI-led Special Investigation Team, which probed the case.
“The SIT report clearly mentions that ghee suppliers in TTD procured various chemicals, one of which is commonly used for cleaning bathrooms and adulterated ghee,” the chief minister said.
He also alleged that YSRCP leaders are trying to mislead people by claiming that the ghee used in making Tirupati Laddu does not contain any animal fat. “The National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) report has clearly indicated the presence of animal fat in the ghee, on the basis of which I made the statement. The latest SIT report also mentioned the same, besides indicating that the ghee was adulterated with various chemicals,” he said.
Naidu noted that even YSRCP MP and former TTD chairman YV Subba Reddy admitted that the ghee used in Tirupati laddus could be adulterated, denying the presence of animal fat.
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He claimed that during the previous YSRCP regime adulterated ghee was also supplied to Srisailam temple for making prasad. Adulterated ghee was supplied to major temples across the state during this period, he said.
State Home Minister Bhangalapudi Anitha also launched a strong attack on the YSRCP, saying the opposition has indulged in blatant lies on the Tirumala ghee adulteration issue. “Not one but four separate reports – CFTRI, NDDB, NTCSI and SIT – confirmed adulteration of ghee used in Tirumala Laddu,” he said.
The home minister alleged that a chemical known as “Labsa” (linear alkyl benzene sulphonic acid), which is commonly used for cleaning toilets, was used in the defilement, adding that it amounted to serious impurity.
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He concluded by saying that it is the responsibility of the people to ensure that those who hurt Hindu sentiments by such actions are kept out of politics.
Meanwhile, YSRCP president and former chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy lashed out at the chief minister for continuing to spread lies even after the charge sheet filed by the CBI-led SIT that the ghee used to prepare Tirupati laddu contained no animal fat.
Addressing the media after visiting former minister Yogi Ramesh’s residence which was vandalized by TDP supporters, the former chief minister also said that the CBI Special Investigation Team (SIT) has clearly stated that there is no adulteration of animal fat in ghee.
“No one associated with YSRCP has been named in the chargesheet supported by two central laboratory reports. Instead of repenting for spreading lies on the laddu issue, Naidu and his propaganda machine are trying to cover it up and make holes in the CBI report by appointing a one-member commission,” alleged Jagan.
“Not only that, the CBI has also given clean chits to former TTD chairman Subba Reddy and Bhumna Karunakar Reddy, saying they were not involved in any wrongdoing,” he said.
The YSRCP supremo accused Naidu of dragging Ishwar into politics and slammed him, his son and IT Minister Nara Lokesh and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan for using Ishwar for “selfish and political gain”.
