Tirupati laddu adulteration row: CM Naidu accuses YSRCP of cover-up in ghee scam

Palnadu: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday alleged that leaders of the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) were attempting to deflect responsibility in the Tirupati laddu ghee adulteration case, even as the Supreme Court-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT) has completed its probe into the matter.

Addressing a public meeting at Vinukonda in Palnadu district during the ‘Swarna Andhra – Swachh Andhra’ programme, CM Naidu accused the previous YSRCP government of allowing the use of substandard and adulterated ingredients in the preparation of the Tirupati laddus between 2019 and 2024.

‘They are trying to put it on others’

The Chief Minister claimed that YSRCP leaders were trying to shift the blame onto others to escape accountability.

“To escape from the mistake of laddu ghee adulteration, they are trying to put it on others. I don’t know what to do,” CM Naidu said, alleging that opposition leaders had also created hurdles in the investigation and approached the Supreme Court during the course of the probe.

Findings of SIT probe

According to CM Naidu, the CBI-led SIT found that the substance supplied as ghee to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) was not pure ghee.

The TTD administers the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Tirupati, one of the most revered pilgrimage centres for Hindus across the world. The laddu offered at the temple is considered sacred prasad and is sought by crores of devotees annually.

CM Naidu alleged that the issue was a ‘hereditary problem’ inherited from the previous regime and claimed that adulterated laddus were served to devotees between 2019 and 2024.

Addressing the gathering, he questioned devotees: “Did you eat the laddu given during that period? Did you get the fragrance? Did you get the ghee smell?”

Was animal fat used?

During an NDA legislative party meeting in 2024, CM Naidu had accused the previous YSRCP government of using substandard ingredients and even animal fats in the preparation of the laddus.

More recently, he also alleged that 'chemicals used to clean bathrooms’ were mixed in the preparation process during the previous administration.

These allegations triggered a nationwide controversy, as the Tirupati laddu holds deep religious significance and is closely associated with the faith of millions of devotees.

Political and public impact

The controversy surrounding the alleged adulteration sparked strong reactions from various quarters, with opposition leaders rejecting the accusations and accusing the ruling party of politicising a sensitive religious issue.

With the SIT completing its investigation, the matter is expected to take a legal and political course in the coming days, even as the issue continues to resonate strongly among devotees and political stakeholders alike.