Amaravati Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday alleged that the erstwhile YSRCP government had desecrated Tirumala, the abode of the world-famous Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple, but noted that the disinfection process had already begun.
The chief minister alleged that the YS Jagan Mohan Reddy-led government had served poor quality food to the devotees of Tirumala not only to undermine its sanctity but also to hurt the sentiments of the devotees.
"After finding evidence that substandard ingredients were used to make prasadam (consecrated food), we will take strict action against those responsible," Naidu said in a press release.
He made these comments on the sidelines of the inauguration of an Anna Canteen at the secretariat. Anna Canteens offers subsidized meals for the poor.
The chief minister said that Tirumala deity Sri Venkateswara Swamy is one of the most revered gods of Hindus and alleged that the YSRCP government had completely desecrated it.
Meanwhile, IT Minister Nara Lokesh alleged that the quality of annadanam (free meal for Tirumala devotees) and Tirupati laddu declined under the YSRCP government.
“Corruption was committed like never before. As part of that, adulterated ghee was used. Immediately after the NDA government was formed, a new executive officer (EO) was appointed and given all powers to clean up the entire system and ensure that no previous irregularities are repeated,” Lokesh told reporters at the Renigunta airport.
As part of that effort, he said ghee, rice and all vegetables were tested following Naidu's directives to maintain quality, while the EO specifically sent ghee samples to the NDDB laboratory, the results of which were released today.
“The report stated very clearly that there was lard, beef fat and fish oil there. If Chandrababu Naidu says something, he will back it up with evidence. That is why he said it yesterday and today we released the evidence,” Lokesh added.
The chief minister alleged that the YS Jagan Mohan Reddy-led government had served poor quality food to the devotees of Tirumala not only to undermine its sanctity but also to hurt the sentiments of the devotees.
"After finding evidence that substandard ingredients were used to make prasadam (consecrated food), we will take strict action against those responsible," Naidu said in a press release.
He made these comments on the sidelines of the inauguration of an Anna Canteen at the secretariat. Anna Canteens offers subsidized meals for the poor.
The chief minister said that Tirumala deity Sri Venkateswara Swamy is one of the most revered gods of Hindus and alleged that the YSRCP government had completely desecrated it.
Meanwhile, IT Minister Nara Lokesh alleged that the quality of annadanam (free meal for Tirumala devotees) and Tirupati laddu declined under the YSRCP government.
“Corruption was committed like never before. As part of that, adulterated ghee was used. Immediately after the NDA government was formed, a new executive officer (EO) was appointed and given all powers to clean up the entire system and ensure that no previous irregularities are repeated,” Lokesh told reporters at the Renigunta airport.
As part of that effort, he said ghee, rice and all vegetables were tested following Naidu's directives to maintain quality, while the EO specifically sent ghee samples to the NDDB laboratory, the results of which were released today.
“The report stated very clearly that there was lard, beef fat and fish oil there. If Chandrababu Naidu says something, he will back it up with evidence. That is why he said it yesterday and today we released the evidence,” Lokesh added.
