Chandrababu Naidu Alleges Animal Fat Used in Tirupati Laddos Under YSR Congress Rule

In a controversial statement, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has alleged that animal fat was used in the preparation of Tirupati laddoos during the previous YSR Congress government. The ruling party under YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has strongly denied the claim, calling it baseless and politically motivated.

Speaking at an NDA legislative party meeting on Wednesday, Naidu, whose Telugu Desam Party (TDP) came to power in alliance with Jana Sena and the BJP in June, accused the Jagan Reddy government of compromising the quality of the sacred laddoos offered as ‘prasad’ at the Sri Venkateswara Temple in Tirupati. The temple, managed by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), is known for distributing these laddoos to devotees.

“Over the past five years, the YSR Congress has degraded the sanctity of Tirumala. They tampered with the quality of ‘Annadanam’ (free meals) and adulterated the Tirumala Laddu by substituting ghee with animal fat. This is deeply concerning, but now, we have restored the use of pure ghee. We are committed to maintaining the purity and sanctity of the TTD,” Naidu stated.

In response, YSR Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP YV Subba Reddy criticized Naidu’s remarks, accusing him of undermining the religious sanctity of the Tirumala temple.

“Chandrababu Naidu’s allegations are both false and damaging. His comments on Tirumala’s sacred offerings are irresponsible. No sincere individual would make such baseless claims,” Reddy posted on X.

He further challenged Naidu, offering to take an oath along with his family to prove the purity of the Tirumala laddoos and questioned whether Naidu would do the same.