In a recent address in Kakinada, HRD Minister and TDP leader Nara Lokesh has called upon party cadres to remain vigilant against what he describes as a "false campaign" orchestrated by opposition parties, particularly focusing on the contentious Tirupati laddu issue. Lokesh drew parallels to past incidents where the TDP faced unwarranted blame, such as the killing of YS Vivekananda Reddy and the knife attack on YS Jaganmohan Reddy, suggesting a pattern of misinformation aimed at tarnishing the party's reputation.
Allegations of YSRCP's Questionable Actions
Lokesh did not hold back in his criticism, alleging that the YSRCP, which has been embroiled in controversies involving adulterated liquor and ghee, is now hypocritically raising doubts about the sanctity of Tirumala's prasadam. "While I do not wish to politicize this sacred matter, it is crucial for the public to be aware of the factual background," he stated, emphasizing the need for transparency in the face of what he perceives as political maneuvering.
TDP's Quality Assurance Measures
According to Lokesh, during the TDP's tenure in government, stringent steps were implemented to guarantee the quality of ghee supplied to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD). He highlighted that regular tests were conducted in adherence to established guidelines until 2019. "Our administration primarily sourced ghee from the reputable Karnataka Milk Federation to maintain high standards," he explained, contrasting this with subsequent changes under the YSRCP regime.
YSRCP's Alleged Negligence
Lokesh further accused the YSRCP government of altering procurement guidelines to favor smaller companies, potentially compromising quality. More damningly, he claimed that the YSRCP suppressed a report from 2022 which revealed that the supplied ghee had failed quality tests. "As directed by Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, an investigation by a Central government-approved institution confirmed the presence of animal fat and vegetable oil in the ghee," he disclosed, noting that this finding was also referenced on page 35 of the CBI's chargesheet, lending credence to the allegations.
Call for Public Awareness
Lokesh concluded by asserting that the YSRCP has initiated a new "drama" over the Tirupati laddu issue, urging people to see through what he labels as baseless accusations. He reinforced the TDP's commitment to factual integrity and called for a collective effort to counter misinformation, ensuring that religious sentiments are not exploited for political gain.
