AP Ministers Accuse YSRCP of Turning Blind Eye to Tirumala Laddu Adulteration

He alleged that despite being aware of adulteration in the ghee used for preparing Tirumala laddus, the previous YSRCP government remained silent. Keshav accused the former regime of deliberately suppressing the CFTR report submitted in 2022 during its tenure and relaxing norms to facilitate irregularities.

Stating that the violations were committed intentionally, he said all those named in the reports should be treated as accused in the case. The Cabinet, he added, has decided to constitute a Commission of Inquiry to identify the real masterminds behind the adulteration. He questioned why senior leaders of the previous government maintained silence despite repeated lapses at Tirumala, asserting that evidence points to their complicity.

Referring to laboratory findings, Keshav said no action was taken on the CFRI report and that granting exemptions from adulteration tests amounted to encouraging crime. He clarified that Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu spoke based on factual lab reports, including an NDDB report which indicated the presence of coconut oil, animal fat, palm oil and fish oil in the laddus.

As part of the TTD clean-up drive, he said Shyamal Rao was appointed as Executive Officer, and samples were sent for testing during the previous administration. However, despite the 2022 report, corrective steps were not taken. He also raised concerns over procurement norms, tender violations using forged documents, and questioned how ghee could be produced without milk, calling for public debate on the issue.

Civil Supplies Minister Nadendla Manohar said the government’s actions were aimed solely at ensuring transparency and had no political motive. He asserted that the coalition government was committed to protecting the sanctity of Lord Venkateswara and Tirumala.

Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav questioned whether the YSRCP was defending adulteration in Tirumala laddus and alleged that devotees’ sentiments were compromised for a ₹250-crore scam. He accused the previous regime of actions that undermined the foundations of Hindu dharma.

The ministers reiterated that the proposed inquiry commission would ensure accountability and restore public confidence in the Tirumala temple administration.