Latest Jagan Mohan Reddy News | Top Jagan Mohan Reddy News Headlines Today | Today India news | Breaking Jagan Mohan Reddy News Today | English Jagan Mohan Reddy News Headlines - TheDailyGuardian

Tirupati Laddu Scandal: Jagan Accuses Naidu Of Defaming Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams

September 22, 2024, 5:04 pm

In a ongoing political controversy surrounding the Tirupati Prasad adulteration, former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy accused his predecessor, N. Chandrababu Naidu, of trying to damage the reputation of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD). In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Reddy alleged that Naidu is deliberately attempting to tarnish the integrity of TTD for political gains by falsely claiming that the ghee used in preparing the famous Tirupati laddoo prasadam during the YSRCP government contained animal fat.

Reddy defended the e-tendering process for ghee procurement, which has been in place for decades, including during Naidu’s tenure. According to Reddy, the procurement is based solely on the price and qualifications of bidders, with no changes to the process under his government. He labeled Naidu‘s accusations as politically motivated lies, intended to harm the beliefs of millions of devotees and degrade the sanctity of the temple.

The controversy erupted after Naidu publicly claimed that animal fat was found in the prasadam ghee during the YSRCP administration. Nara Lokesh, Andhra Pradesh’s minister and Naidu’s son, supported the allegations, citing a government lab report from July that purportedly confirmed the presence of animal fat. Lokesh assured the public that strong action would be taken, including a possible CBI investigation, and that the Chief Minister would introduce structural changes to ensure the issue does not recur in the future.

Also read: Tripura Students Urge Modi to Act on Bangladesh Minority Attacks

This political dispute has stirred emotions among devotees and brought the reputation of the TTD into the spotlight, with both parties trading accusations over the sacred offering of prasadam at the world-renowned Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple in Tirupati.

Inside Tirupati Laddoos : How Ingredients Are Bought and Used

September 21, 2024, 9:28 am

The debate surrounding the laddoos served to devotees at the famous Tirupati temple has escalated into a significant political conflict. The Telugu Desam Party (TDP), led by Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, accused the Jagan Mohan Reddy government of using animal fat in laddoo preparation during Reddy’s tenure. However, Jagan Mohan Reddy, leader of the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), strongly denied the allegations. The central government has requested a detailed report on the issue, and the Union Food Minister has called for an inquiry.

Daily Laddoo Production at Tirupati

The Sri Venkateswara Swami temple in Tirupati, managed by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), produces around 3 lakh laddoos daily. To make these laddoos, the temple kitchen uses approximately 1,400 kg of ghee, along with large quantities of cashew nuts, raisins, cardamom, gram flour, and sugar.

TTD sources the ingredients through an e-auction process, which was introduced in 2022 to minimize human intervention. The procurement process involves a yearly budget of around ₹500 crore.

Ingredients and Certified Ghee

In order to guarantee the validity of the food testing procedure, the ghee used in the laddoos is supplied in tankers approved by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL). In order to be used for both the preparation of prasadam and the temple’s free meal program, these tankers are kept in godowns close to Alipiri, Tirupati.

E-Auction and Tendering Process

Only agencies registered with Andhra Pradesh Technological Services can participate in the e-auction. The contracts are awarded based on technical parameters and financial factors, with AGMARK certification and FSSAI licenses being mandatory for participating agencies. Additionally, online reverse tendering is followed for orders exceeding ₹1 crore.

Ghee Controversy and Adulteration Allegations

The controversy intensified when 10 ghee tankers from AR Dairy Food Pvt Ltd, a Tamil Nadu-based supplier, came under suspicion for adulteration. Four tankers were stopped, and samples were sent for testing. AR Dairy defended itself, stating that its consignments passed multiple lab tests and accounted for only 0.01 percent of the ghee supplied to Tirumala.

Allegations of Animal Fat in Laddoos

The TDP government raised concerns over a report from July 17, which suggested that ghee samples from Tirupati contained fish oil, beef tallow, and lard. Naidu accused the Reddy government of compromising the quality of the laddoos by using animal fat instead of ghee. He stated, “Even Tirupati laddoo was made with substandard ingredients. They used animal fat instead of ghee.”

In response, Reddy dismissed the report as “false” and accused Naidu of exploiting religious sentiments for political gain.

TTD’s Response and Legal Action

The TTD has supported the claims made by Naidu. TTD Executive Officer J. Shyamala Rao acknowledged that suppliers took advantage of the absence of an in-house testing facility and stated that steps are being taken to blacklist the contractor involved.

The controversy has also reached the Supreme Court, with a petition filed citing a violation of Article 25 of the Constitution, which protects the right to freedom of religion, including the right to practice religious rituals.

Health Minister Orders Detailed Probe into Tirumala Laddu Controversy

September 20, 2024, 3:12 pm

Allegations Spark Concerns Over Sacred Prasad

Union Health Minister JP Nadda has called for a comprehensive report on the controversy surrounding the famous Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) laddus in Andhra Pradesh. This directive follows claims by Chandrababu Naidu’s Telugu Desam Party (TDP) that a lab in Gujarat discovered traces of beef tallow, fish oil, and pig fat in the ghee used for the sacred laddus during the administration of YS Jagan Mohan Reddy.

Political Accusations Heighten Tensions

Key allies of the BJP, including TDP and Jana Sena, have launched scathing attacks on Jagan Mohan Reddy’s YSRC government, accusing it of desecrating the sanctity of the temple and compromising “Sanatan Dharma.” Naidu accused the former YSRCP government of adulterating the sacred Tirumala Laddu by using animal fat instead of pure ghee, raising alarm among devotees.

Jagan Mohan Reddy’s Response

In response to Naidu’s allegations, Jagan Mohan Reddy’s YSRCP dismissed the claims as baseless. Reddy took to X (formerly Twitter), stating, “Chandrababu Naidu committed a great sin by damaging the sanctity of the divine temple Tirumala and the faith of hundreds of crores of Hindus. Chandrababu’s comments on Tirumala Prasad are very evil. No one born of human birth speaks such words or makes such accusations.”

Lab Tests Confirm Presence of ‘Foreign Fat’

According to a report from the National Dairy Development Board’s Centre of Analysis and Learning in Livestock and Food, traces of “foreign fat” were found in the ghee used for the laddus. The lab report, revealed by the TDP, indicated the presence of beef tallow, pig fat, and fish oil. TDP spokesperson Anam Venkata Ramana Reddy presented these findings during a press conference, stating that the sample was received on July 9, 2024, and the results were dated July 16.

Controversy Continues

The revelation has further escalated the war of words between the TDP and the YSRCP, as both parties continue to trade accusations regarding the adulteration of the sacred prasad. The matter remains under scrutiny as the health minister awaits the detailed report.

WATCH: Chandrababu Naidu’s This Question Made 80 Percent Andhra MLAs Stand Up During Assembly

July 26, 2024, 9:02 am

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu criticized his predecessor, former Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy, for targeting political opponents by registering police cases against them. Presenting a White Paper on the law and order situation during the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) rule in the state assembly, Naidu highlighted that almost 80% of the MLAs had cases filed against them during the previous government. This claim was supported by a significant number of MLAs standing up in the assembly when Naidu asked those who had been booked to stand.

Among those who stood up were Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan and Human Resources Development Minister Nara Lokesh. One woman MLA mentioned she had seven cases filed against her. Naidu remarked that despite Jagan Mohan Reddy’s efforts to imprison his political opponents, the people had elected them to the assembly.

Watch: Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu asks, "During the YCP government's rule, those with cases against them should stand up." Most of the MLAs stood up in the assembly pic.twitter.com/HqIHs0pkfL

— IANS (@ians_india) July 25, 2024

Naidu accused Jagan Mohan Reddy of filing 60 cases against TDP leader J. C. Prabhakar Reddy and using the SC/ST Atrocities Act to file cases against current Home Minister Anitha Vangalapudi and Speaker Ayyanna Patrudu. He also alleged that Jagan Mohan Reddy derived sadistic pleasure from watching a video of the torture of then MP Raghurama Krishna Raju in lock-up.

Naidu stated that 17 cases were filed against him after Jagan Reddy came to power, and seven cases were filed against Pawan Kalyan. He vowed to make Andhra Pradesh the leading state in terms of law and order and promised to review all politically motivated cases, ensuring those who registered illegal cases would be punished.

He accused YSRCP leaders, with police support, of undermining democracy and claimed that people suffered both physical and mental trauma under the YSRCP rule. Naidu agreed to Pawan Kalyan’s suggestion for another session to thoroughly discuss law and order issues. He also advised NDA members to avoid causing trouble for the government and emphasized that anyone disturbing peace and law and order would be punished.

Naidu stressed that law and order could be maintained if officials performed their duties according to the law. He assured the assembly that a separate wing would be created in the police department to monitor social media, warning that those posting derogatory content about women would face strict action.

Chandrababu Naidu Calls Jagan Mohan Reddy ‘Drug Lord Pablo Escobar’

July 25, 2024, 5:30 pm

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday compared former CM Jagan Mohan Reddy to the slain Colombian narco-terrorist Pablo Escobar. Presenting a white paper in the assembly, Naidu claimed that under Reddy’s administration, Andhra Pradesh had become the “Ganja capital” of India.

Criticizing Reddy for the alleged law-and-order issues during his tenure, the TDP leader stated that he had never witnessed such a situation in Andhra Pradesh in his extensive political career.

“There was only one person who can compare to what happened in Andhra, drug lord Pablo Escobar,” Naidu said, per India Today.

“Pablo Escobar was a Colombian drug lord, he was a narco-terrorist. He turned politician and then started his cartel to sell drugs. He earned 30 billion Dollars at that time. He was arrested in 1976 and in 1980 he became the number one richest drug lord in the world. One can become richer by selling drugs as well. What was the aim of the former chief minister (YS Jagan)? Tata, Reliance, and the Ambanis have money. He wanted to become richer than them. Few have needs, few have greed and few have mania and these maniacs do these kinds of things,” he said, per ANI.

Naidu alleged that during Jagan Mohan Reddy’s rule, Ganja was readily available in every village of the state.

Pablo Emilio Escobar Gaviria was killed by Colombian special forces in 1993.

Naidu further accused Jagan Mohan Reddy of targeting TDP leaders by filing cases against them.

Jagan Mohan Reddy’s protest:

On Wednesday, YSRCP President Jagan Mohan Reddy criticized the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) government, claiming that there had been lawlessness in Andhra Pradesh.

“We stand before this country in Delhi and we question whether democracy is prevalent or not in Andhra Pradesh, where the word democracy means equitable justice and today in the state. Equitable justice is denied and democracy stands limping,” the former Andhra Pradesh chief minister said.

“Within 45 days of the government coming into power, you have a situation where more than 30 people are murdered and assaults are taking place, which led to attempts of murder and several properties vandalized. Where you have 490 government properties, they have also been vandalized. Reddy told reporters, “There are over 1,000 cases involving assaults.”

Reddy protested against the state government at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, where he was joined by Samajwadi Party MP Akhilesh Yadav.

Andhra: Kadapa to Witness a Family Face-Off Between YSRCP’s YS Avinash Reddy and Congress’ YS Sharmila

May 12, 2024, 11:56 pm

The Kadapa Lok Sabha constituency in Andhra Pradesh is bracing for a fierce showdown between relatives. Incumbent MP YS Avinash Reddy of the YSR Congress Party faces a challenge from state Congress chief YS Sharmila, daughter of former CM YS Rajasekhara Reddy and sister of YSRCP chief Jagan Mohan Reddy. Avinash Reddy, the cousin of Sharmila and Jagan, is up against Chidipiralla Bhupesh Reddy of the Telugu Desam Party, which is allied with the BJP in the state.

Kadapa comprises seven assembly segments, all held by the YSRCP. It has long been a stronghold of the YSR family, with YS Rajasekhara Reddy winning thrice and Jagan Mohan Reddy securing victory in 2009. Avinash Reddy has held the seat since 2014.

However, Andhra CM Jagan Mohan Reddy’s mother, YS Vijayalakshmi, has thrown her weight behind Sharmila, urging Kadapa residents to support her. Vijayalakshmi, widow of former CM YS Rajasekhar Reddy, resigned from her honorary post in YSRCP in 2022.

Sharmila, who merged her YSR Telangana Party with Congress and became state chief, has targeted her brother and Avinash Reddy over their uncle YS Vivekananda Reddy’s death. Key issues in the constituency include industrial development, infrastructure improvement, livelihood enhancement, unemployment, illegal sand mining, and land encroachment.

Voting for the Kadapa Lok Sabha seat is scheduled for May 13 in the fourth phase of general elections, with results to be announced on June 4. In 2019, Avinash Reddy won with a significant margin. This year’s candidates include YS Avinash Reddy (YSRCP), YS Sharmila (Congress), and Chadipiralla Bhupesh Subbarami Reddy (TDP), among others. In the 2019 elections, YSRCP dominated with 22 seats, while TDP managed only 3, and both BJP and Congress were left empty-handed.

Congress Leader YS Sharmila: Jagan Mohan Reddy remote-controlled by PM Modi

April 30, 2024, 9:45 pm

YS Sharmila, leader of the Andhra Pradesh Congress and Kadapa candidate, criticized Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party leader Jagan Mohan Reddy on Tuesday for his remarks about the Congress, referring to them as “remote-control” comments.

Additionally, the head of the Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) stated that CM Reddy was under the influence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, echoing the sentiments of being “remote-controlled.”

“Jagan Mohan Reddy commented yesterday that the Congress party is remote-controlled by Chandrababu Naidu. Congress party condemns this strongly and that it is Jagan Mohan Reddy, who is being remote-controlled by PM Modi,” Sharmila stated on Tuesday in an interview with ANI.

“PM Modi requested for the Gangavaram Port to be given to Adani and Jagan Mohan Reddy obliged, not only one but many such projects. Jagan Mohan Reddy obliged and gave the reliance (RIL group president Parimal Nathwanithe) Rajya Sabha seat. Being a Christian himself Jagan Mohan Reddy saw the atrocities on the Christians in Manipur and still supported the BJP,” she continued.

Earlier this week, CM Jagan criticized the opposition for employing his sisters in their attempts to undermine the YSRCP in the state.

“Unable to face me alone in the political arena, TDP-JSP-BJP is united to conspire against me. Unfortunately, my two sisters (referring to Sharmila and Sunita) are being used as part of their conspiracy. It was Congress that tried to hide YSR’s legacy. Congress didn’t even receive as many votes as NOTA did. Further, Congress was responsible for Andhra Pradesh’s bifurcation and neglected to include the special category status in the state reorganization act. Will anyone vote for the Congress that has broken the state?” CM Jagan stated.

He further remarked that backing the Congress is equivalent to supporting Chandrababu.

“Who will benefit if our votes are divided? It will be Chandrababu and BJP,” CM Jagan said.”Our younger sisters have become part of the opposition conspiracy. They are hanging around with those who unfairly defeated Chinnanna (Uncle Vivekananda) in the MLC election and people should be aware of the opposition’s conspiracy to gain political mileage,” he continued.

Earlier this year, Sharmila joined the Congress party and merged her YSR Telangana Party with it.

Simultaneous elections for the Andhra Pradesh Assembly and Lok Sabha will take place on May 13, with the vote counting scheduled for June 4.

Andhra Pradesh has a total of 175 Assembly seats and 25 Lok Sabha seats. In the 2019 Assembly elections, the YSRCP secured a dominant majority by winning 151 seats, while the TDP managed only 23 seats. Similarly, in the Lok Sabha elections, the TDP secured only three seats, while the YSRCP won 22 seats.

Congress leader YS Sharmila spent night in party office to evade house arrest

February 22, 2024, 10:00 am

Sharmila declared that their struggle on behalf of the unemployed would persist, regardless of any attempts to impede their actions or those of their workers. So in an unexpected political development in Andhra Pradesh, YS Sharmila Reddy, the Chief of Andhra Pradesh Congress, spent the night in her party office in Vijayawada to evade potential house arrest, a day before the scheduled ‘Chalo Secretariat’ protest led by the Congress cadre under her leadership.

In her address at Andhra Ratna Bhavan in Vijayawada, YS Sharmila criticized Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, asserting that he has utterly failed in addressing crucial issues concerning the youth, unemployed, and students over the past five years.

The protest aims to highlight the challenges faced by unemployed youth and students, demanding the state government’s attention to these issues. YS Sharmila criticized Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, asserting that he has failed to address crucial problems faced by the youth, unemployed, and students over the past five years.

Expressing her concern on social media, she wrote, “If we call for a protest on behalf of the unemployed, will you try to keep us under house arrest? Don’t we have the right to protest in a democracy? Is it not shameful that as a woman I have been forced to evade the police and spend the night in the Congress Party office to avoid house arrest?”

Continuing her criticism of the state government, she questioned, “Are we terrorists or anti-social forces? They are trying to stop us, meaning they (the government) are afraid of us. They are trying to hide their incompetence, the real truth. Even if they try to stop us or our workers, our struggle on behalf of the unemployed will not stop.”

In a subsequent post, Sharmila described the heavy police presence, iron fences, and the perceived confinement imposed on them. She accused the government of being dictatorial and called for an apology to the unemployed from the YCP Sarkar.

Lok Sabha MP Manickam Tagore, Congress in charge of Andhra Pradesh, also criticized the state government’s approach, describing it as dictatorial and emphasizing the need to uphold democratic principles and respect the right to peaceful protest. Massive police deployment has been observed at the Andhra Pradesh Congress committee Headquarters in Vijayawada in anticipation of the ‘Chalo Secretariat’ march.

Andhra Congress chief Sharmila’s supporters hold protest after convoy stopped in Vijayawada

January 21, 2024, 4:48 pm

Following the arrest of Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) chief YS Sharmila Reddy’s convoy by Vijayawada police at Ramavarappadu, Reddy’s supporters staged protests on Sunday. Senior Congressman Raghuveer Reddy claimed that the Vijayawada police had blocked their convoys as they were traveling from the airport to Vijayawada. Reddy made the argument that the government’s actions are motivated by fear of the Congress party.

“Such obstruction is indicative of the government’s apprehension and anxiety about the rising influence of the Congress party,” Reddy said.
However, Vijayawada police refuted the allegations made by the state Congress leaders and said that it was a routine halt and had no deliberate interference.
“The convoy was temporarily halted due to routine traffic management procedures and not due to deliberate interference. Sharmila’s convoy proceeded without any major disruption in Vijayawada,” said Kanthi Rana Tata, Commissioner of Police, Vijayawada City.
Earlier today, YS Sharmila assumed the role of President of the Andhra Pradesh Congress.
During her inaugural address, Sharmila raised pertinent questions about the state’s development under the leadership of Jagan Mohan Reddy.

Anganwadi workers laid siege to houses of MLAs of the ruling YRS Congress party in Andhra Pradesh

December 27, 2023, 7:35 pm

On the 16th day of protest, Anganwadi workers of Andhra Pradesh laid siege to the houses of all the MLAs of the ruling YSR Congress Party (YSRCP).

Anganwadi workers have been agitating to increase their salaries, provide pension and other retirement benefits, regularize their services, clear pending bills and meet other demands.

Anganwadi workers of Palnadu district gathered at the residence of Vinukonda MLA Bolla Brahmanaidu. The workers tried to petition the MLA.

Anganwadi Workers Association leaders emphasized that Anganwadi workers are not just seeking goodwill; Instead, they demand that Chief Minister Jaganmohan Reddy fulfill his pre-election promises.

The state government has been criticized for promoting honorariums without addressing the urgent need to increase wages and integrate employees into government schemes.

For the past two years, Anganwadi workers have been demanding a minimum wage of Rs 26,000 as per the election promise. The rising cost of living has made it a challenge for them to support their families. However, the Jagan government has yet to address these concerns, fueling frustration among workers.

According to the workers, the government’s current stance amounts to indifference, undermining their legitimate demands for better wages and improved working conditions.

There are many demands like raising the age limit to 62, providing ten lakh group insurance, equal pay for equal work. As the agitation continues, Anganwadi workers and their supporters remain steadfast in their demand for fairness and justice.

Andhra Pradesh CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy inaugurates YS Rajasekhar Reddy statue

October 12, 2023, 4:00 pm

On Thursday, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy participated in the large housewarming ceremony and unveiled the YSR statue at Jagananna Housing Layout in Samarlakota, Andhra Pradesh.

Addressing a public meeting in Samarlakota Reddy said, “We have distributed houses to poor beneficiaries and while we are allocating the houses to beneficiaries opposition parties tried to oppose it. However, we achieved in giving houses to poor beneficiaries.”
Launching a scathing attack on Janasena party Chief Pawan Kalyan, Reddy said, “Foster son Pawan Kalyan resides at Hyderabad. He used to come to Andhra Pradesh once in a while. We have seen entrepreneurs coming and going to Andhra Pradesh but we didn’t see a person such as Pawan Kalyan who has sold his community to another party. Does he love his (kaapu) community? If he loves his community why did he sell his party to another political party”, he added.

The Samarlakota YSR Jagananna Colony is one of the largest housing colonies the government has undertaken, with the completion of about 2,000 housing units, according to the YSR Congress party on Twitter. There will be 5 lakh house warming celebrations across the state in various Jagananna colonies. We have been told since the beginning of time that demons attempt to destroy yajnas that are performed for good. If we were to give the poor houses now.. Chandrababu went to court dressed as a monster and made conspiracies. But we managed to get past every challenge. said the YSR party in a tweet. Chandrababu Naidu, the leader of the opposition in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly, was attacked by the YSR Congress, who claimed that he was stirring up trouble.