*Using Tirumala Laddu as shield for governance failures is unforgivable: Kannababu*

Kakinada, Feb 8: YSR Congress Party North Andhra Regional Coordinator and former minister Kurasala Kannababu strongly criticised Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu repeatedly dragging the Tirumala laddu issue into public discourse to divert attention from his government’s failures. Speaking to the media at his camp office in Kakinada, he said that despite being in power for 20 months, the government has failed to implement key promises and resorts to raising the laddu controversy whenever it faces criticism. He alleged that for political gain, Chandrababu is tarnishing the sanctity of Tirumala, hurting Hindu sentiments, and attempting to politically target YS Jagan Mohan Reddy through false propaganda. He pointed out that even after the Supreme Court–monitored CBI SIT made it clear that there was no evidence of animal fat adulteration, the ruling coalition continues its misinformation campaign. He also stated that the ghee samples cited in the controversy were drawn after the coalition came to power, and that approvals to Bhole Baba Dairy were originally granted during Chandrababu’s earlier tenure.

Kannababu said the SIT report clearly recorded that ghee tankers rejected by TTD during the coalition government’s period re-entered the system through backdoor routes and were later used, yet the blame is being shifted onto YSRCP. He criticized coalition leaders for questioning how ghee could be procured at low prices, reminding them that ghee had been supplied at even lower rates during Chandrababu’s previous tenure. He condemned claims that adulterated laddus were sent even to Ayodhya, calling such statements irresponsible and unrelated to TTD when the consignments were sent by individual board members. He stressed that former TTD chairman YV Subba Reddy himself approached the Supreme Court seeking a CBI probe because he had nothing to hide, and that the ruling side began its propaganda even before the investigation concluded. He asked whether dragging a deity worshipped by millions into political battles was not an insult to faith.

Accusing Chandrababu of attacking Hindu dharma itself, Kannababu said that after being exposed by the SIT findings, the Chief Minister is now introducing new claims such as “toilet cleaning chemicals” in laddu preparation to keep the controversy alive. He alleged that Chandrababu is trying to use BJP support to politically target YSRCP and YS Jagan. He contrasted this with the previous YSRCP government’s record, claiming it protected Hindu interests, built around 3,000 temples, constructed temples dedicated to Lord Venkateswara in multiple cities, and issued orders recognizing Tirumala’s seven hills and banning non-Hindu religious propagation there. He accused the current coalition of failing to protect temples and instead presiding over their neglect.

Kannababu further stated that when YSRCP leaders demand apologies for false allegations, they face abuses, attacks, and police cases. He claimed petrol bomb and acid bottle attacks, vandalism at leaders’ homes, and misuse of police machinery to intimidate the opposition, describing the situation as “jungle raj.” He said the coalition has failed to fulfill election promises, is involved in land scams in Visakhapatnam, and is misusing power to close corruption cases against its own leaders while filing cases against YSRCP leaders who present evidence. He concluded that despite being in power, the coalition cannot politically counter YS Jagan and is therefore resorting to conspiracies and character attacks instead of delivering better governance, adding that a government that cannot keep promises is hiding behind religious controversies to survive politically.