New Delhi:  (Tirupati Temple Prasad) Amravati: Amid controversy over allegations of animal fat in the world famous Tirupati laddu, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) on Thursday claimed confirmation in its lab report. The TDP said that after testing the ghee samples used in the laddu, the Gujarat-based laboratory NDDB CALF Ltd found the adulteration to be true.

TDP spokesperson Anam Venkata Raman Reddy presented this alleged lab report in a press conference. It confirmed the presence of beef tallow (animal fat) in the ghee samples given. The alleged report claimed that 'lard' (related to pig fat) and fish oil were also present in these samples.

Transparency and accountability in government contracts

The date of receipt of this sample was 9 July 2024 and the lab report was of 16 July. He also said that generally premium quality ghee is available for more than Rs 1000 per kg, but during the YSRCP era, TTD had given its contract at only Rs 320 per kg. This simply means that the contract could have been completed at such a low price only through shoddy or corruption. The contract of 15000 kg ghee was linked to bribery, which has also raised concerns over transparency and accountability in government contracts.

Use of animal fat instead of ghee

Notably, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and TDP supremo N Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday alleged that the previous YSRCP government used substandard material and animal fat in making Tirupati laddu. State Social Welfare Minister Dola Sri Bala Veeranjaneya Swamy has said that a thorough inquiry will be conducted into the irregularities. They compromised the quality of 'Annadanam' (free food) and even contaminated the sacred Tirumala laddu by using animal fat instead of ghee.

Supply of ghee mixed with chemicals

The sins of former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy are coming to light one after the other. At the same time, former member of the TTD Governing Council OV Ramana said that quality cow ghee for laddus was already being purchased from a milk cooperative body of the Karnataka government. While former executive officer Dharma Reddy gave the contract of supplying ghee to his favorite Delhi-based company, which was supplying ghee mixed with chemicals.

Serious damage to the faith of Hindus

YSRCP Rajya Sabha MP and former TTD chairman Subba Reddy denied the allegations, calling them malicious and said the TDP supremo would stoop to any level for political gains. Subba Reddy, Jagan Mohan Reddy's uncle, said Naidu's remarks had caused serious damage to the sanctity of the temple and the faith of crores of Hindus.

Formation of a high committee or CBI investigation

At the same time, YSRCP president's sister YS Sharmila said that immediately form a high level committee or get the CBI to investigate. Laddu Prasadam is offered at the famous Sri Venkateswara temple in Tirupati and it is run by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD). Whereas, CALF is a multi-disciplinary analytical laboratory at the National Dairy Development Board located in Anand, Gujarat.

Uncle was made the head of the temple administration

TDP leader Pattabhi Ram Komareddy has claimed that Jagan Mohan Reddy, as the Chief Minister between 2019 and 2024, appointed his uncles as the Chairman of TTD. YV Subba Reddy and Karunakara Reddy, both close family members of Jagan Mohan, Reddy started looting money by placing uncles in the post.

Strict action necessary: ​​VHPNew

Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) on Thursday called it a serious matter and demanded strict action against those involved in it. VHP national spokesperson Vinod Bansal said that everyone knows about the anti-Hindu acts of the previous YSR government of Andhra. This is a very serious issue and it has been raised by none other than Andhra Chief Minister Naidu. Immediate strict action should be taken and punishment should be given to those who used animal fat in Tirupati's Laddu Prasadam.

BJP leader and former TTD board member Bhanu Prakash Reddy on Tirupati laddu controversy: We are very sad and we condemn this issue. We are filing a complaint against Jagan Mohan Reddy, TTD chairman Bhumana Karunakar Reddy, YV Subba Reddy and then executive officer Dharma Reddy. Right now we are using pure cow ghee to make laddu prasad.