BJP Leader Karnati Anjaneya Reddy Demands Probe into Tirupati Laddu Scam

Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and state executive member, Karnati Anjaneya Reddy, has demanded a thorough investigation and strict action against former Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Chairman, YV Subba Reddy, and former Executive Officer, Dharma Reddy. The allegations involve the use of animal fat in making Tirupati laddoos.

Reddy called for a probe into the irregularities within TTD over the past five years, criticizing the previous government led by YSRCP chief Jagan Mohan Reddy for compromising TTD’s sanctity and hurting devotees’ sentiments. He urged the state government to take serious note of the issue and assured that the BJP would also raise the matter at the national level.

Reddy demanded that Subba Reddy provide a clear explanation for using adulterated ghee, alleging that the previous government compromised TTD’s values for commissions and hurt devotees’ sentiments through the laddu scam.

The Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple, a Hindu temple situated in Tirumala hills at Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh, is at the center of this controversy. The row comes days after Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu claimed that substandard ingredients, including animal fat, were used in the preparation of Tirupati laddus during the previous Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) government.

Reacting to the allegations, former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy accused the Telegu Desam Party (TDP) of politicizing religious matters. He stated, “The tender process occurs every six months, and the qualification criteria have not changed for decades. Suppliers must provide an NABL certificate and a product quality certificate. TTD collects samples from the ghee, and only products that pass certification are used. TDP is politicizing religious matters. We have rejected the products in our regime 18 times.”

Reddy also mentioned that he would write a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, claiming that Chandrababu Naidu has twisted the facts. The YSRCP has moved to the Andhra Pradesh High Court, demanding an investigation into the claims made by the ruling party. The lawyers representing the YSRCP requested the court to appoint either a sitting judge or a committee to investigate the claims made by the Chief Minister.