Vijayawada: Despite being caught red-handed by the CBI report, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) continues to spread baseless propaganda regarding the Tirumala laddu offering. The party has been manipulating images of the laddu and Lord Venkateswara using AI editing tools, posting these altered photos on social media. In addition, they have set up flex banners in various locations alleging that the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) has betrayed the devotees.
The official social media accounts of TDP feature these morphed images of Lord Venkateswara, with party supporters creating caricatures that they claim insult the deity. This behavior has sparked outrage among devotees of Lord Venkateswara, who are voicing their anger at the party’s tactics. They argue that despite the clarification that there was no adulteration in the prasadam, TDP continues to demean the deity.
Flex banners surfaced in the Piduguralla area of Palnadu district, alleging that substandard ghee was used in the preparation of the Tirumala laddu. These banners have been set up at several major junctions in the town, with messages claiming, “Maha Papam is true. 68.17 lakh kilograms of adulterated ghee were used, resulting in the production of 20 crore laddus. YSRCP leaders pocketed Rs. 251 crores.” The banners included images of former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy along with former TTD chairmen Bhumana Karunakar Reddy and Y.V. Subba Reddy.
This controversy gained momentum when Chandrababu Naidu, the leader of the TDP, made statements alleging that during the tenure of the YSRCP government (2019-2024), substandard ghee was supplied to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams. However, the courts have criticized these accusations for lacking substantial evidence. The CBI investigation found no evidence of adulteration in the ghee samples tested.
In light of these developments, it is particularly noteworthy that TDP persists in its smear campaign. Many observers are calling for greater accountability, emphasizing the need for responsible communication, especially when it concerns religious sentiments. Devotees and citizens alike are urging political parties to refrain from using sacred offerings for political gain, instead advocating for respect and transparency in such matters.
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the TDP will respond to the backlash from the public and whether they will continue their campaign or reconsider their strategy in light of the CBI’s findings. The ongoing feud between the TDP and YSRCP appears to be escalating, with both parties steadfast in their positions, thus keeping the political discourse heated in the lead-up to upcoming elections.
