In a dramatic turn of events, former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh and YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) chief, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, cancelled his planned visit to the revered Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple, popularly known as the Tirupati Temple. Reddy was scheduled to visit the temple to perform darshan on Saturday, following his arrival at Tirumala on Friday night. However, his trip was called off due to mounting pressure over the “declaration of faith” requirement and concerns for his security amidst the ongoing laddu controversy.
The Declaration of Faith and Political Tension
At the heart of the issue lies the declaration of faith—a mandatory requirement for non-Hindus entering the temple to worship Lord Venkateswara. The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), which manages the temple, mandates that non-Hindus sign a declaration affirming their faith and respect for Lord Venkateswara before entering the temple. This rule, enforced at the Vaikuntam queue complex, has become a political flashpoint, with many demanding that Reddy, a Christian by faith, publicly sign the declaration before entering the temple.
YSRCP supporters had organized statewide temple rites to counter the allegations surrounding the laddu prasadam made by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP). In light of these developments, members of the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) called for Reddy to make his faith declaration public, heightening the political tension surrounding his visit.
#WATCH | Vijayawada: Former Andhra Pradesh CM Jagan Mohan Reddy says “…What happened during the so-called controversy on Laddus? TTD’s reputation has been lowered by Chandrababu Naidu. The pride of our Laddus was diminished by Chandrababu Naidu. He intentionally planted a seed… pic.twitter.com/VHcTPT8Dni
— ANI (@ANI) September 27, 2024
Reddy’s Response: “Demons Are in Power”
In a press conference following the cancellation of his trip, Reddy accused the TDP-led government of creating obstacles for his visit. He claimed, “Demons are now in power in the state. I’ve never seen political parties create hurdles for a temple visit.” He further alleged that the state police, under orders from CM Naidu and Minister Nara Lokesh, had issued warnings to YSRCP leaders ahead of his planned visit to Tirumala.
“Police notices were issued to YSRCP leaders stating that the Tirumala visit had no permission,” Reddy said. “Why do we need police permission to visit the temple? The demon rule continues in Andhra Pradesh.”
The Laddu Controversy: Reddy Defends Ghee Tender Process
The Tirupati laddu controversy erupted after CM Naidu accused the previous YSRCP administration of using substandard ingredients, including animal fat, in the preparation of the iconic laddus. In response, Reddy launched a fierce defense, accusing Naidu of damaging the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams’ (TTD) reputation and deliberately spreading misinformation.
Reddy criticized Naidu’s claims, stating, “The tender process for ghee procurement has been in place for decades. Tenders are called every six months, and anyone who qualifies can participate. There’s no government interference. The TTD has a robust mechanism to ensure quality.”
He further elaborated, “During Chandrababu Naidu’s regime from 2014 to 2019, nearly 14-15 times ghee was rejected due to quality issues. Similarly, from 2019 to 2024, 18 times ghee was rejected and sent back. The idea that adulterated ghee was used is a blatant lie.”
Allegations of BJP Interference
In his press conference, Reddy also accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of playing a role in obstructing his temple visit, alleging that BJP cadres had been deployed across the state. “BJP leaders from outside Andhra Pradesh have been brought in, and the police are deployed in various locations. I don’t know if the BJP leadership is aware of this,” Reddy said, adding that Naidu was using the laddu controversy to divert attention from his failures.
CM Naidu’s Allegations and Reddy’s Rebuttal
Chief Minister Naidu had sparked controversy on September 18, accusing the previous YSRCP government of using animal fat in the making of laddus during an NDA meeting. “They not only provided substandard food but also used inferior ingredients like animal fat in the prasadam,” Naidu claimed. He added that his administration had since “cleansed the system” and restored the use of pure ghee in the laddus.
Test results purportedly confirmed the presence of animal fat in the ghee used under the YSRCP regime, further inflaming the debate. However, Reddy vehemently denied these accusations, accusing Naidu of fabricating the controversy for political gain. “Chandrababu Naidu knew the truth but still planted doubts about the quality of Tirupati laddus. This is an attack on the sanctity and pride of our temple,” he said.
Political Games or Genuine Concerns?
The Tirupati laddu controversy has taken center stage in Andhra Pradesh’s political landscape, with both YS Jagan Mohan Reddy and Chandrababu Naidu trading barbs over the issue. While Naidu continues to assert that his administration has restored the sanctity of the prasadam, Reddy accuses him of orchestrating a smear campaign for political mileage. As the 2024 elections draw closer, the controversy is likely to remain a critical talking point in the state’s volatile political climate.
This incident reflects the intricate relationship between politics, religion, and public sentiment in Andhra Pradesh, as both major political figures navigate the sensitive issues surrounding Tirumala and its iconic laddus. Whether Reddy’s decision to cancel his visit will impact his political standing remains to be seen.
