TDP Leader Pattabhi Ram Kommareddy Criticizes Former CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy Over Tirupati Prasadam Controversy

NTR (Andhra Pradesh) [India], September 22: Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader Pattabhi Ram Kommareddy has criticized former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy over the Tirupati Prasadam controversy. Kommareddy stated that adulterating Lord Balaji’s prasad with animal fat is unacceptable and that Jagan Mohan should be prepared to face an inquiry.

He said, “Not even in our wildest dreams you can think that any human being can resort to this kind of sin to adulterate Lord Balaji’s prasad with animal fat. But it was done by YS Jagan Mohan Reddy. The first thing the government did to set things right was to withdraw the remaining stock of ghee, set up an expert committee to recommend a few initiates to ensure quality and set up a vigilance inquiry. We started cleaning the mess you started in TTD. We brought back Nandini, which is supplying quality cow ghee now. Jagan Mohan should be prepared to face an inquiry.”

Earlier today, former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the Tirupati Prasadam controversy. In his letter, he stated that attempts are being made by Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu to “irreparably tarnish the sanctity, integrity, and reputation” of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams.

Reddy mentioned that the procurement of the ghee has been taking place through the e-tendering process, with the tendering process occurring every six months for the past several decades. He added, “The organisation that meets the qualification criteria gets selected on the basis of the price of the ghee quoted, which is the bidding parameter. This has been the process in place for the past several decades, even during the period of the TDP government between 2014 and 2019.”

Reddy accused Chandrababu Naidu of being a “pathological and habitual liar” and claimed that Naidu’s actions have hurt the beliefs of millions of people for political objectives.

Congress leader Pawan Khera also called for a fast-track inquiry into the alleged use of ‘animal fat’ in the prasadam for Sri Venkateshwara Swamy Temple in Tirupati. Khera said, “It is very surprising that the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Executive Officer, appointed by Chandrababu Naidu’s government, contradicts the claims of adulteration in the prasadam. This kind of atmosphere is bad for the faith of crores of devotees. A fast-track inquiry should take place and the strictest punishment to the guilty must be meted out.”

Advocate K Karuna Sagar alleged that the previous YSRCP government used ‘animal fat’ in the Laddu Prasadam offered at Tirumala Temple in Tirupati, calling it an attack on Hindu sentiments and a “conspiracy.” Sagar expressed his shock, stating, “The Laddu Prasadam offered at Tirupati is world-famous for its divinity, sanctity, and quality. I was shocked and surprised after seeing the lab reports confirming that the low-quality ghee used in making the Laddu Prasadam contained beef, pork, and fish oil. This is an attack on Hindu sentiments… This is a conspiracy.”

Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan claimed that the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) board was “altered for political gain” by the previous government. Kalyan said, “Prasadam distribution has been ongoing for over 100 years. But under YSRCP’s rule, the TTD board was altered for political purposes. The Sri Venkateswara Trust was established, leading to various scams. Worship protocols were changed, and over 300 temples were desecrated.”

On September 19, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu stirred a political controversy after he claimed that the ghee used in the preparation of Tirupati laddoo prasadam, offered at Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple in Tirupati, contained animal fat during the previous YSRCP government. Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple is a Hindu temple situated in the Tirumala hills of Andhra Pradesh’s Tirupati district.