Stop defaming Tirumala temple, ex-TTD chief Subba Reddy tells TDP
Alleges that TDP and its supporting media are deliberately linking the laddu issue to him for political gain
image for illustrative purpose
Amaravati: YSRCP Parliamentary Party leader and former TTD Chairman YV Subba Reddy, on Thursday, condemned what he called Telugu Desam Party's (TDP) ongoing political campaign against the sacred Tirumala Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple.
The former Chairman of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) said that the holy shrine is being intentionally dragged into politics through a sustained misinformation drive targeting the Laddu prasadam, even as the SIT investigation is still underway.
False leaks and fabricated narratives, he said, are being pushed to damage the temple's global reputation.
Addressing media persons in Delhi on Thursday, he reiterated that he has done no wrong and is prepared to face any form of inquiry, including a public lie detector test, in the presence of the media.
Subba Reddy recalled his service as MP and two-term TTD Chairman, during which he consistently worked to uphold the temple's sanctity.
His family has been devoted to spiritual service for generations, and he himself has taken Ayyappa Deeksha nearly 30 times.
Yet, the former TTD Chairman is being targeted only because of his proximity to former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy.
He alleged that TDP and its supporting media are deliberately linking the Laddu issue to him for political gain.
He reminded that it was Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, who alleged use of animal fat in Laddus, a baseless claim that compelled him to file a writ petition in the Supreme Court to safeguard the temple's prestige.
He asked why he would approach the Supreme Court if he had anything to hide.
Subba Reddy asserted that TDP's allegations lack basic clarity.
"There is no confirmation whether vegetable fat or animal fat was involved, nor whether the tankers in question even entered the Laddu production line. With TTD's mandatory lab checks, no substandard ghee can enter production," he said and claimed tankers were rejected both during TDP's tenure and YSRCP regime.
The tankers now under suspicion came in June–July 2024, when Chandrababu Naidu was in power, and SIT confirmed they were rejected and later rerouted in August, again under TDP rule.
