Tirupati laddu row: Jagan calls CM Naidu 'habitual liar'; urges PM Modi to reprimand him
In a letter addressed to PM Modi, Jagan accused Naidu of stooping so low as to hurt the beliefs of crores of people purely for political objectives
Even as the political row over the Tirupati laddu adulteration controversy hots up, YSR Congress chief YS Jagana Mohan Reddy on Sunday (September 22) sought the intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to rebuke Chandrababu Naidu.
In a letter addressed to PM Modi, Jagan described Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister as a "habitual liar" and urged that truth be brought to light. Further, he accused Naidu of stooping so low as to hurt the beliefs of crores of people purely for political objectives.
Shameless act
Detailing the process undertaken at Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) the custodian of the super-rich shrine of Sri Venkateswara Swamy for accepting ghee, in an eight page letter, Jagan alleged that Naidu’s actions lowered not only the stature of CM but also that of everyone in public life, the sanctity of TTD and its practices.
“Sir, the entire country looks to you at this crucial juncture. It is very imperative that Mr Naidu be reprimanded in the severest way for his shameless act of spreading lies and the truth be brought to light. Sir, this would help allay the suspicions that Mr Naidu has created in the minds of crores of Hindu devotees and restore their faith in sanctity of TTD,” Jagan wrote in his letter.
Explaining the sequence of events, he said it is crucial to note that the ghee allegedly adulterated was rejected and not allowed to enter the premises of TTD. However, Naidu with malafide intention raised the issue at a political party meeting on September 18.
Matter of adulterated ghee
During an NDA legislative party meeting a few days ago, the TDP supremo claimed that the previous YSRCP government did not even spare Sri Venkateswara temple and used substandard ingredients and animal fat for making laddus.
Two days later on September 20, TTD Executive Officer J Shyamala Rao in a press conference said Lab tests had revealed the presence of animal fat and lard in chosen samples and the board is in the process of blacklisting the contractor who supplied “adulterated” ghee.
(With inputs from agencies)