AP forms one-member committee on laddu prasadam

The Andhra Pradesh government has formed a one-man committee to conduct a comprehensive examination of the Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI) led SIT report into the adulterated laddu prasadam of Tirupati to identify lapses and fix responsibility.

At the end of a meeting between NDA allies, JSP and BJP at his camp office, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said that none of the reports have given a clean chit to YSRCP in the matter and warned that intimidation and rowdyism would not succeed and strict punishment would be meted out to the guilty.

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Ever since the CBI filed a charge sheet in the court, the state has been on the boil. YSRCP leaders claimed that the CBI had given a clean chit to the previous regime since there was no animal fat in the laddus, as alleged by Naidu. This had triggered political clashes between the TDP and the YSRCP, with the supporters of the former attacking the houses of two former ministers, alleging that they had spoken ill of Naidu and IT minister Nara Lokesh. The arrest of YSRCP leader Ambati Rambabu also triggered an undercurrent of caste rivalry between Kapus and Kammas, particularly since the TDP is associated with the latter caste group. Deputy Chief Minister and JSP leader Pawan Kalyan, a Kapu, has been doing some tightrope walking. In the backdrop of these claims and counterclaims, the three NDA allies met at the camp office and put up a united front on the issue.

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu referred to the SIT and laboratory reports and stated that the ghee used in the laddus was prepared using chemicals, palm oil and other adulterants. He alleged that lakhs of devotees were given the adulterated laddus in the five years of YSRCP rule. Rejecting the claims of a clean chit, the Chief Minister clarified that the CBI report does not certify anywhere that there was no adulteration and said the accused are spreading false narratives and launching counterattacks to divert attention. He said the committee was being formed after CBI submitted a report to the government and recommended action.

Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan said the government speaks with responsibility and caution on sensitive issues of faith. “No report has given a clean chit so far. Allegations involving animal fat are extremely sensitive and cannot be spoken lightly,“ he said.

He added that the government had made statements only after examining the evidence found in the NDDB CALF test report. BJP state president PVN Madhav criticised the YSRCP and said, “Preparing laddus with chemically processed and adulterated ghee is dangerous. It hurts the sentiments of devotees and plays with public health.” He said the NDA government in the state was committed to restoring transparency and sanctity in temple administration.