Tirupati: In a recent press conference, YSR Congress Party district president and former TTD chairman Bhuman Karunakara Reddy accused former Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu of engaging in diversionary politics following a CBI report regarding the Tirumala laddu prasadam. Reddy stated that Naidu has been attacking YSRCP leaders as a means of self-preservation after the report’s release.
Reddy pointed out that Naidu claims to base his statements on the report provided by the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), but it was the YS Jagan Mohan Reddy government that introduced the NDDB to the TTD. He emphasized that the CBI’s report, which was derived from both NDDB and the National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) findings, clearly indicated that the chances of animal fat being mixed with ghee were nonexistent.
During Naidu’s administration, the TTD had procured ghee from Bholi Baba Dairy. Reddy highlighted that in 2018, this company was rebranded as Harsh Fresh Dairy. TTD had purchased ghee at a rate of ₹291 per kilogram from this source, a fact confirmed in the CBI’s report. He further stated that after the YSRCP came to power, they disqualified Bholi Baba, yet Naidu still claimed that adulterated ghee had been used in the laddu prasadam.
Reddy also mentioned that on September 23, 2025, former Executive Officer Shyamala Rao corroborated Naidu’s remarks. He questioned the credibility of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) appointed by Naidu, arguing that if Naidu himself alleged wrongdoing, it was contradictory for him to trust the officials of the SIT. Reddy insisted that only Supreme Court-appointed officials should conduct a proper investigation into the matter.
According to Reddy, after the CBI report was released, Naidu has been entirely focused on his self-defense, which he claimed is the reason behind his orchestrated attacks on YSRCP leaders. He cited instances where YSRCP leader Ambati Rambabu had apologized for his comments but still faced aggression, asserting that Naidu dispatched a mob of 3,000 people to Rambabu’s residence and intentionally targeted Jogi Ramesh’s home as well.
Reddy concluded his statements by condemning Naidu’s actions as a misuse of power and a threat to the political stability in the region. He called for a thorough investigation into the allegations without any interference from political figures, stressing that the integrity of the investigation is paramount to uphold justice and transparency.
