Tadepalli: Former Minister Vellampalli Srinivas has launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, actor-turned-politician Pawan Kalyan, and Minister Lokesh, challenging them on their handling of the recent controversy surrounding the offerings of laddus at the Tirumala temple. In a press conference held in Tadepalli, Srinivas questioned the credibility of the reports by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), specifically asking if they could prove the presence of animal fat in the revered laddus.
Srinivas expressed his frustration with the ongoing negative campaign against the laddus, asserting that such baseless rumors have tarnished the reputation of the sacred offerings. He did not hold back in his criticism of B.R. Naidu, the Chairman of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), labeling him as “extremely incompetent” and questioning his devotion to Lord Venkateswara. “Naidu is not just failing in his duties; he is also undermining the faith of devotees,” Srinivas remarked.
Addressing the lack of accountability from Chandrababu Naidu, Srinivas stated, “There is no sign of repentance for the mistakes made regarding the laddus. Naidu speaks without any shame, fear, or respect for the beliefs of the devotees.” He argued that despite the CBI’s clear findings, the accusations against the laddus continue to proliferate.
In his remarks, Srinivas also took aim at the media, claiming that videos featuring comments from other political figures, such as Roja and Joginath Ramesh, were edited and misrepresented by “yellow journalism.” He accused the media of sensationalism and claimed that their manipulation of facts only served to mislead the public.
Moreover, he highlighted the lengthy inquiry regarding the laddus, which he noted had been ongoing for over a year, and pointed out that the individuals involved in the investigation were affiliated with Naidu. “It is absurd to suggest that cleaning agents like toilet cleaning acids were used in the laddus. Would B.R. Naidu himself consume such substances mixed into sweets?” he questioned, further emphasizing his point about Naidu’s incompetence.
Srinivas accused Naidu of damaging the sanctity of the Tirumala temple and the Hindu faith. He alleged that since Naidu took over as TTD Chairman, numerous scandals and offenses have plagued the holy site. “Attacks on temples across the state are on the rise, and it is the TDP leaders who are behind these incidents,” he asserted.
In closing, Vellampalli Srinivas expressed his disappointment with Chandrababu Naidu’s portrayal of himself as a devout Hindu while he engages in acts that contradict those beliefs. He criticized Pawan Kalyan’s claims of being a staunch Sanatani, suggesting that the public has long ceased to believe in such assertions. The former minister’s remarks have sparked a fresh wave of controversy, highlighting the ongoing tension between political figures in Andhra Pradesh.
