TDP chief Gandi Babji lashes out at YSRCP over Tirupati Prasad row

Vijayawada (Andhra Pradesh) (India), September 21 (ANI): Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader Gandi Babji lashed out at the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) over the alleged use of animal fat in consecrated sweets – ‘Tirupati Prasadam’ at the Sri Venkateswara temple and said the party had carried out “illegal activities” out of “greed for money”.

Speaking to ANI on Friday, he said, “The previous YSRCP government carried out all these illegal activities out of greed. They did not consider the lives and sentiments of the people.” He added that the government would investigate the matter and find those involved.

“After we came to power, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu inquired about the problem and they found that it was polluted ghee.” “It is the government’s duty to find out who is responsible for it,” he added.

The remarks come after Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu alleged that substandard ingredients, including animal fat, were used in the preparation of Tirupati laddus, a sweet offered at the Sri Venkateswara temple in Tirupati, during the previous Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) government.

Earlier, Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan said he was “hurt and shocked” by the controversy over the alleged use of animal fat in the Tirupati Laddu Prasadam given at the Tirumala temple in Tirupati and called for setting up a ‘Sanatana Dharma Rakshana Board’ to protect the sanctity of the temples.

“We are hurt and shocked… When people with no commitment, no values ​​and no respect for the sanctity of the temple, if they take matters into their own hands, this is what happens… It is not just prasad, maybe alcohol and non-vegetarian food was provided, people were organising parties there,” Pawan Kalyan told ANI.

Reacting to the allegations, YSRCP chief Jagan Mohan Reddy told reporters, “Ultimately, I am writing a letter to the Prime Minister myself. I am also writing a letter to the Chief Justice of India. I am telling them how Chandrababu Naidu has distorted the facts and why action should be taken against him for doing so.” (ANI)