*Govt flees Council, unable to answer on Heritage–Indapur links: YSRCP*

Velagapudi, March 5: YSRCP MLCs criticised that the TDP-led coalition government walked out of the Legislative Council after failing to answer serious questions raised with evidence regarding the Tirumala laddu controversy, the alleged use of adulterated ghee during the present government’s tenure, and the business links between Heritage and Indapur Dairy. Speaking at the Assembly Media Point in Velagapudi after the Council session, the MLCs said they strongly exposed these issues in the House with documentary evidence, but the ministers repeatedly obstructed the discussion and ultimately left the House without giving any answers. They stated that when confronted with proof about the alleged Heritage–Indapur business nexus and the circumstances surrounding the use of adulterated ghee in Tirumala, the government resorted to disruptions and diversionary tactics, including inappropriate remarks against the Chairman, rather than responding to the questions raised.
YSRCP MLCs asserted that Chandrababu Naidu deliberately spread false propaganda claiming that animal fat was found in the sacred Tirumala laddu prasadam in order to serve Heritage’s business interests, and that the political consequences of dragging a revered religious institution into partisan politics are now being faced by his own party. They alleged that when questioned about the alleged siphoning of TTD funds through the Indapur Dairy route for the benefit of Heritage, ministers had no answers and avoided the debate. They also questioned why Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu was unwilling to remove TTD Chairman B.R. Naidu from his position despite the latter reportedly admitting to being involved in objectionable videos.

YSRCP MLC Lella Appi Reddy said their members had demonstrated with evidence in the Council that the allegations of adulterated ghee were politically motivated and aimed at benefiting Heritage’s commercial interests. He alleged that attempts were made to divert TTD funds through a dairy syndicate allegedly involving AR Dairy, Indapur, Sangam, Premier Agro and Bhole Baba Dairy under the influence of Heritage, and that instead of answering these charges, the government tried to divert the debate by raising issues related to religion and by making remarks about YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s faith. He said ministers themselves admitted that they were not prepared to participate in the debate, which he interpreted as an acknowledgment of wrongdoing.
MLC Tumati Madhava Rao criticized ministers for opportunistic politics, saying they attempted to derail the debate by introducing religious references whenever YSRCP members raised questions about the laddu issue. He said the government was unwilling to face scrutiny not only on the laddu controversy but also on the ongoing agricultural crisis in the state. MLC Parvata Reddy Chandrasekhar Reddy said the controversy created by Chandrababu’s allegations that animal fat was present in laddu ghee had deeply hurt devotees across the world, and questioned how four ghee tankers rejected earlier had allegedly re-entered TTD through another supplier’s name. He also pointed out that the suspension on Indapur Dairy had earlier been lifted during the TDP’s tenure and that Bhole Baba Dairy received technical clearance under Chandrababu’s government.
MLC Bomm Israel demanded that Minister K. Atchannaidu be removed from the Cabinet for making remarks about the Chairman’s religion in the Council and insisted that TTD Chairman B.R. Naidu should step down if he had admitted to involvement in objectionable videos. MLC Varudu Kalyani said coalition leaders were diverting the debate by introducing religious issues because they lacked the courage to answer how rejected ghee tankers re-entered TTD and what links existed between Indapur and Heritage. MLC Kalpalatha Reddy said ruling party members repeatedly obstructed the debate out of fear that alleged Heritage-related corruption would be exposed. MLC P. Ramasubba Reddy said Chandrababu’s attempt to brand YSRCP and YS Jagan as anti-Hindu had collapsed and that the laddu controversy had instead revealed alleged links involving Heritage.
The MLCs also raised several other public issues. They demanded justice for farmers affected by a wall constructed by Dalmia Cement Factory that has reportedly caused flooding of farmland and damage to homes, and urged compensation at market rates for affected lands. MLC MV Ramachandra Reddy condemned the police action against Anganwadi workers who were peacefully protesting for implementation of election promises, including salary hikes and promotions based on seniority. MLC Sipayi Subrahmanyam demanded that B.R. Naidu voluntarily resign as TTD Chairman over controversial remarks about the Bhagavad Gita. MLC Ramesh Yadav questioned the government’s claims on job creation, pointing out inconsistencies between figures cited by the Chief Minister and ministers and noting that unemployment in Andhra Pradesh was reportedly among the highest in the country. MLC Kumbha Ravibabu reiterated YSRCP’s opposition to bauxite mining in tribal areas, warning that any attempt to revive such projects would face strong resistance, and recalled that the earlier GO enabling such mining had been cancelled by the YS Jagan government to protect tribal rights.