तिरुपति लड्डू विवाद पर नायडू-रेड्डी आमने-सामने: चंद्रबाबू बोले- जांच जल्दी कराता तो भी जगन झूठा कहते, रेड्डी ने कहा- 18 बार सैंपल रिजेक्ट हुए थे

The issue of mixing animal fat in the Laddu Prasadam of Tirupati temple of Andhra has become a big issue. CM Chandrababu Naidu and former CM Jagan Reddy are face to face. Bhaskar’s MS Shankar asked several questions to both of them on Saturday.

Question and answer with CM Naidu on the Laddu issue

Question: The lab report was received on 23rd July, you revealed it now. Why so? CM Naidu: Would it have been right to make things public without solid evidence? When the complaint was received, samples of laddu and ghee were sent for investigation. The investigation of the new EO of TTD also confirmed adulteration. After this, we got the vigilance to investigate. All the complaints were found to be true, then we exposed them. Question: There is an allegation that by this disclosure, you took political mileage for the works done during the 100-day tenure? CM Naidu: Jagan himself is surrounded by allegations, that is why he is making baseless allegations. I told only after the reports came from every level. If I had been in a hurry, if I had made allegations without a full investigation, then Jagan would have accused me of working with wrong intentions. He would have proved me a liar.

Question: Is the root of the controversy about bringing back the Nandini brand? CM Naidu: This allegation is also baseless. Karnataka’s Nandini brand has been supplying ghee for many years. But, questions were never raised before this. My aim is to maintain the faith of lakhs of devotees who buy Prasadam Laddu.

Question: Why no case was filed against the company that played with faith? CM Naidu:We have already made it clear that the matter has nothing to do with politics. A thorough investigation is underway. Whoever is found guilty will not be spared. Please wait a little. Question: What steps should be taken after the mixing of animal fat was revealed? CM Naidu: After a detailed investigation, the TTD EO terminated the contracts with all five suppliers, who were appointed by the previous administration of the board. Strict monitoring along with lab tests was increased to maintain the sanctity of prasadam. This controversy did not start during my tenure, but I took immediate steps to improve the situation. Question: Was the ghee of all five suppliers tested or only one? CM Naidu: TTD EO has said that the ghee of one of the five companies was found to be adulterated. But, we do not want to take any more risk in matters of faith, so we have terminated the contracts of all.

Question and answer with former CM Jagan Reddy on the Laddu case

Question: Did your government ask TTD to buy cheap ghee? Jagan: I never interfered in the day-to-day operations of TTD. Maintaining the purity of Prasad is the job of TTD, not mine. All the institutions faced financial challenges during the Corona period. At that time, the Devasthanam itself took decisions to maintain the operation of the temple. I had no personal involvement in this. Question: Did TTD fail to maintain the quality of ghee? Jagan: It would not be right for me to comment on TTD. Both former chairmen of the board YV Subba Reddy and Bhuma Karunakara Reddy have welcomed the investigation. They are confident that no mistake has been made under their supervision. The process of checking the ghee tankers which has been going on for years, has been done now.

Question: Did Naidu resort to religious issue to corner you? Jagan: This is not the first time that Naidu has resorted to religion for politics. I belong to a different religion. That is why Naidu and his party have been trying to defame me and my family. They have also spread lies against my father. But every time their efforts have backfired. This time too they will backfire because the public knows the truth. Question: What if the government does not conduct a high-level investigation into the matter? Jagan: My sister has demanded a CBI inquiry. Which is right. I have also demanded a judicial inquiry, because this is a matter of faith of crores of Hindus. I know that I and my government have not done anything wrong. The tradition and sanctity of the temple is important to us. If our demands are not met, we will decide later what to do next.

Question: There is also an allegation that you did not get the ghee tested? Jagan:Ghee tankers pass three tests before reaching the temple. This is a routine process of TTD. When Naidu was the CM from 2014 to 19, ghee tankers were rejected after sample testing 14-15 times. During my tenure, this happened 18 times.

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Tirupati temple management said- Prasad is now pure, said- Animal fat confirmed in the investigation

Amidst the controversy over the purity of the laddus of Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple (Tirupati Temple) of Andhra Pradesh, the temple management Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) said that the prasadam is now completely pure and sacred. We are committed to keep it in the future as well. Read full news…

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