In a scathing critique of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, YSR Congress Party’s district president K.K. Raju has accused him of engaging in “twisted politics” under the guise of the Tirumala laddu controversy. Raju stated that Naidu, along with Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan and coalition leaders, is manipulating the sentiments of devotees to divert attention from his failures in governance.
Speaking at a press conference at the party’s district office in Visakhapatnam, Raju expressed his outrage, claiming that Naidu’s actions have brought the integrity of the Tirumala temple into disrepute. He criticized the Chief Minister for allegedly invoking the deity Sri Venkateswara in political matters, describing it as a shameful attempt to cover up his incompetence. Raju demanded explanations regarding how rejected tankers were allowed to enter the Tirumala temple premises during Naidu’s tenure.
Raju also highlighted a past incident where Chandrababu Naidu had issued orders for the supply of ghee during the election season, questioning the legitimacy of such transactions and referencing suspicions raised in a CBI SIT charge sheet. He asserted that Naidu’s political maneuvers, which involve degrading the temple’s reputation for personal gain, have reached a new low.
The YSR Congress leader further warned that Naidu and Kalyan would have to face the consequences of their smear campaigns against the Tirumala temple, insisting that they should be accountable for the allegations surrounding the quality of offerings made to devotees. Raju emphasized that using such sensitive religious matters for political leverage is fundamentally wrong and harms the sentiments of millions of devotees.
Raju pointed out that Naidu’s government had previously permitted the entry of tankers that had been rejected by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) and questioned the integrity of the supply chain. He urged the Chief Minister and his cabinet to clarify the discrepancies regarding the procurement of ghee for the temple, especially in light of the allegations detailed in the CBI report.
In his remarks, Raju noted that Naidu’s attempts to shift blame onto the YSR Congress Party are desperate and indicative of a leader struggling to address his shortcomings. He criticized the coalition’s reliance on sensationalized media narratives to distract the public from pressing issues, calling for accountability and transparency in governance.
The ongoing controversy surrounding the Tirumala laddu has intensified tensions between political parties in the state, with Raju urging citizens to recognize the implications of using religious symbols for political gain. He called for an end to the exploitation of religious sentiments and for leaders to focus on fulfilling their electoral promises instead of engaging in diversionary tactics.
As the political landscape heats up in Andhra Pradesh, Raju’s statements reflect a growing frustration among opposition leaders regarding the ruling party’s handling of sensitive issues. The YSR Congress Party is poised to hold the government accountable, emphasizing that the sanctity of the Tirumala temple should never be compromised for political expediency.
