Botsa Satyanarayana Accuses Chandrababu Naidu of Exploiting Tirumala Laddu for Corruption

State Minister for Education Botsa Satyanarayana has launched a scathing criticism against former Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, accusing him of exploiting the sacred Tirumala laddu prasadam for political gain and corruption.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, Satyanarayana alleged that Naidu has been deliberately spreading misinformation about the traditional sweet offering distributed at the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), one of India’s most revered Hindu temples.

“Chandrababu Naidu is attempting to use even the sacred laddu prasadam as a tool for propaganda and corruption,” Satyanarayana said. “This is nothing but an attempt to divert public attention from his own failings and to create unnecessary religious controversy for political advantage.”

The controversy erupted after allegations surfaced regarding changes in the ingredients used in preparing the laddus at the Tirumala temple. Opposition leaders claimed that animal fat was being used instead of the traditional ghee (clarified butter), sparking outrage among devotees across the country.

Satyanarayana firmly rejected these claims, explaining that the TTD has maintained strict quality control and adherence to traditional preparation methods. “The TTD follows centuries-old traditions in preparing prasadam. The suggestion that any prohibited ingredients are being used is completely false and politically motivated,” he stated.

The Tirumala laddu, a ball-shaped sweet made from gram flour, sugar, ghee, and other ingredients, is considered sacred by millions of devotees who visit the temple annually. The prasadam is not merely a sweet but holds deep religious significance for worshippers of Lord Venkateswara.

The minister pointed out that the TTD distributes over 300,000 laddus daily to devotees, making it one of the largest prasadam operations in any religious institution worldwide. The temple administration follows stringent quality checks to maintain the purity and sanctity of the offering.

According to TTD officials, each ingredient undergoes multiple levels of testing before being approved for use in the preparation. The temple kitchen, known as Potu, employs hundreds of workers who prepare the laddus following traditional methods under the supervision of temple priests.

Political analysts note that this controversy comes at a sensitive time in Andhra Pradesh politics, with tensions between the ruling and opposition parties intensifying ahead of upcoming local elections. Religious issues often become flashpoints in the state’s political landscape.

“This appears to be part of a larger pattern where sacred institutions are being dragged into political battles,” said Dr. Ramesh Babu, a political analyst based in Hyderabad. “The Tirumala temple has historically remained above political controversies, but increasingly we’re seeing it become a battleground for partisan politics.”

The TTD, which manages the Tirumala temple, has issued a statement reassuring devotees about the quality and purity of the prasadam. The temple administration has invited independent food safety experts to inspect their preparation facilities to dispel any doubts.

Devotee organizations have expressed concern about the politicization of the temple’s affairs. “The laddu prasadam is sacred to millions of devotees. Politicians should refrain from using it as a tool for their political battles,” said Venkat Reddy of the Tirumala Devotees Association.

The controversy has prompted the state government to consider implementing additional transparency measures in temple administration. Sources within the government indicate that a proposal for live streaming of the laddu preparation process is being considered to build public confidence.

Meanwhile, Satyanarayana has challenged Naidu to provide evidence for his allegations or apologize to the devotees for spreading misinformation about the sacred prasadam. “If he has any evidence, he should present it before the public instead of making baseless accusations that hurt religious sentiments,” the minister concluded.

As the controversy continues to unfold, religious leaders have called for keeping temples and their practices outside the realm of political disputes, emphasizing the need to respect the sanctity of religious institutions.