YSRCP Triggers Legislative Chaos Over Alleged Adulterated Ghee Supply to Tirumala
In a dramatic turn of events at the Andhra Pradesh legislative council, the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) ignited a fiery confrontation by moving an adjournment motion. The motion sought an urgent discussion on the alleged supply of substandard and adulterated ghee to the revered Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD). The party leveled serious accusations, claiming that Heritage Foods was involved in providing compromised ghee to the temple body under the guise of Indapur dairy.
Adjournment Motion Rejected Amidst Escalating Tensions
YSRCP members, including KRJ Bharat and Sipayi Subramaniam, formally submitted the adjournment notice, demanding an immediate debate on what they described as a grave issue threatening the sanctity of Tirumala. However, council chairman Koyye Moshenu Raju firmly rejected the motion, asserting that the House would proceed with its scheduled business, which primarily included budget discussions. This rejection set the stage for a series of intense protests that would disrupt the entire session.
Protests Erupt, Leading to Repeated Adjournments
Following the chairman's decision, YSRCP MLCs stormed the podium, brandishing placards and raising loud slogans to insist on a discussion. The council witnessed repeated disruptions, forcing the chairman to adjourn proceedings briefly in an attempt to restore order. Even after the session resumed, the protests continued unabated, with opposition members surrounding the podium and vehemently insisting that the issue be taken up. Chairman Raju repeatedly appealed for calm, urging members to allow the House to function and focus on critical budget matters, but the agitation persisted relentlessly.
This persistent disruption led to a second adjournment and ultimately resulted in the House being adjourned for the day, marking a significant halt in legislative proceedings. The scenes were chaotic, with opposition members refusing to back down despite appeals for decorum.
Government Accuses YSRCP of Political Theater
In response to the protests, minister Kolusu Parthasarathi strongly objected, accusing the YSRCP of staging a dramatic performance to divert attention from controversies that arose during its own tenure. He asserted categorically that Heritage Foods had no role whatsoever in supplying ghee to TTD, dismissing the allegations as baseless. Agriculture minister Kinjarapu Atchannaidu further escalated the rhetoric by accusing the opposition of attempting to politicize a sensitive religious issue, emphasizing that such matters should not be exploited for political gain.
Opposition Vows to Pursue Matter Legally
Opposition leader Botcha Satyanarayana countered the government's claims by alleging that Indapur dairy was indeed linked to Heritage Foods, citing previous details available on the company's website as evidence. He claimed that ghee had been supplied at varying prices over the years and asserted that the opposition was fully prepared to prove the adulteration allegations. Satyanarayana vowed to pursue the matter through constitutional and legal channels, signaling a prolonged battle ahead over the issue.
The incident highlights deep-seated political tensions in Andhra Pradesh, with religious sanctity and corporate accountability at the forefront of legislative debates. The allegations of adulterated ghee supply to one of India's most prominent temple bodies have sparked not only parliamentary uproar but also broader concerns about governance and transparency in religious endowments.
