In a significant political development, Andhra Pradesh’s opposition leader Botsa Satyanarayana accused former Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu of orchestrating a scam involving the Indapur Dairy, which he claims was a cover for siphoning off wealth associated with Lord Venkateswara. Speaking at a press conference in Amaravati, Satyanarayana alleged that Naidu conspired to secure contracts for his family-run Heritage Foods by misusing the reputation of the Tirumala laddus, which are renowned offerings at the Tirupati temple.
Satyanarayana asserted that during Naidu’s tenure from 2014 to 2019, the government granted contracts for ghee supply to Heritage Foods under the guise of Indapur Dairy, a subsidiary of Heritage. He accused Naidu of spreading false propaganda about the quality of the sacred offerings, alleging that claims were made that the ghee used in the laddus contained animal fats and other impurities. Such accusations, he argued, were politically motivated to undermine the YS Jagan Mohan Reddy government.
Recent investigations have revealed that the ghee supplied by Indapur Dairy failed quality tests in 2016 but was reinstated for contracts shortly afterward. Satyanarayana highlighted that during Naidu’s administration, contracts worth hundreds of crores were awarded to Indapur Dairy, which ceased its participation in TTD tenders after his government lost power in 2019. However, he warned that with the upcoming 2024 elections, the company was reemerging to position itself advantageously.
He further pointed out that the connection between Indapur Dairy and Heritage Foods was explicitly stated on the Heritage website until the media scrutiny led to its removal. Satyanarayana criticized Naidu for using the divine reputation of the Tirumala laddus to gain political leverage, emphasizing that such actions were an affront to the faith of millions of devotees.
In a dramatic session in the Legislative Assembly, Satyanarayana, along with YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) members, raised slogans against Naidu, asserting that the government was evading discussions about the alleged scam. They claimed that Naidu’s desperate attempts to cover up his alleged corruption were evident as he was unable to defend the contracts awarded to Indapur Dairy at inflated prices.
Satyanarayana charged that Naidu’s actions were not only politically motivated but also brought disrepute to the sacred offerings associated with the temple. He promised to educate the public about the alleged fraudulent practices surrounding the dairy’s operations and Naidu’s involvement. The assembly echoed with chants from YSRCP members calling for accountability and transparency.
As the political narrative unfolds, it remains to be seen how these allegations will impact the upcoming elections and the reputations of those involved. With accusations of corruption and political manipulation at the forefront, the stakes have never been higher for both the ruling and opposition parties in Andhra Pradesh.
