Addressing a press conference, State president Palla Srinivasa Rao said the findings reportedly emerging from a CBI inquiry had exposed what he described as “systemic administrative collapse” under the previous regime. The alleged use of adulterated ghee in the preparation of prasadam at the shrine administered by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams, he argued, was not a procedural lapse but a breach that “shook the moral foundation of institutional faith.”
“The laddu prasadam is not a commercial commodity. It is sacred,” Mr. Srinivasa Rao said, asserting that any compromise in its purity constitutes an assault on the spiritual trust of millions of devotees across the world.
*‘Self-Certified Clean Chit’*
The TDP leader alleged that rather than initiating transparent corrective measures, former Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy and senior YSRCP functionaries had “rushed to manufacture a narrative of exoneration.” Describing it as a “self-certified clean chit exercise,” he said the attempt appeared designed to pre-empt institutional accountability and blunt public outrage.
According to Mr. Srinivasa Rao, the strategy faltered as national media outlets, religious leaders, priests and devotees demanded answers. “You cannot neutralise a matter of faith with press statements,” he remarked.
*Diversion Through Corporate Targeting*
Escalating his allegations, Mr. Srinivasa Rao accused the YSRCP leadership of dragging Heritage Foods into the controversy to divert attention from the core issue of accountability within temple administration.
He dismissed as “unsupported and speculative” claims that Heritage had supplied adulterated ghee to Tirumala. Assertions suggesting ownership linkages between Heritage and an Indapur-based dairy unit were, he said, circulated without documentary substantiation.
“Deflection is not defence,” he observed, arguing that shifting blame onto private entities without evidentiary backing amounted to political damage control rather than governance.
*Judicial Scrutiny and Legal Counter*
Referring to the reported intervention of the Delhi High Court directing the removal of allegedly defamatory content within 24 hours, Mr. Srinivasa Rao said the development underscored the fragility of unverified accusations when subjected to judicial scrutiny.
He noted that Heritage Foods, which has operated for over three decades, had issued a legal notice to senior YSRCP leader Botsa Satyanarayana, seeking an unconditional apology and damages. The notice, he said, was a “necessary institutional response” to reputational harm.
*Admission and Evasion*
The TDP leader further pointed to statements attributed to former TTD Chairman Y.V. Subba Reddy acknowledging irregularities in the matter. “If irregularities are admitted, then accountability cannot be outsourced,” he said, accusing the YSRCP of attempting to shift focus rather than address the administrative chain of responsibility.
*Wider Political Charge*
Broadening his offensive, Mr. Srinivasa Rao alleged that the YSRCP’s tenure had been marked by controversial land allocations and the issuance of special Government Orders that remained under public scrutiny. “Those facing questions over public resource management cannot seek refuge in orchestrated outrage,” he said.
He described attempts to invoke religious sentiment as a shield against administrative failure as “deeply irresponsible,” asserting that faith cannot be instrumentalised to neutralise political liability.
*‘Truth Will Out’*
Concluding his remarks, Mr. Srinivasa Rao maintained that the people of Andhra Pradesh were closely observing developments. The Tirumala shrine, he said, cannot be reduced to a theatre for partisan manoeuvring.
As investigative processes continue, he expressed confidence that the full sequence of events surrounding the adulterated ghee allegations would be established and that responsibility would be fixed in accordance with law. “In matters that intersect governance and faith,” he said, “institutional integrity must prevail over political expediency.”
Sharma K.V.Editor
Comments
Post a Comment