Jagan Reddy Slams Chandrababu Naidu for ‘Politics in God’s Name’ Amid Tirupati Laddoos Row

Hyderabad: Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has refuted accusations that laddoos offered as prasad at Tirupati temple during his tenure contained animal fats and fish oil. Reddy accused current Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu of politicising religious matters to “divert attention.”

Reddy clarified that the controversial lab report, which found traces of animal fat and beef oil in the laddoos, was from July when Naidu was already in power. He claimed that his government had followed standard procedures for sourcing ingredients and any quality concerns were immediately flagged to Naidu’s administration.

He explained that the tender process for suppliers occurs every six months, with strict qualification criteria requiring suppliers to provide NABL and product quality certificates. He further added that the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) rejects substandard products and during his tenure, they had rejected products 18 times.

A controversy erupted earlier this week when Naidu alleged that the previous Jagan Mohan Reddy government was responsible for adulteration in the ghee used to make Tirupati laddoos. Naidu cited a lab report from NDDB CALF Ltd, which confirmed the presence of animal fats and fish oil in the ghee.

TDP spokesperson Anam Venkata Ramana Reddy shared a copy of the lab report, which confirmed the presence of beef tallow and lard.