TDP state president Palla Srinivasa Rao. | Photo credit: File Photo
TDP state president Palla Srinivasa Rao on Thursday accused the YSRCP of creating a “calculated political smoke screen” to evade responsibility for the alleged adulterated ghee scandal linked to the preparation of Tirumala laddu prasadam.
Addressing a press conference in Amaravati on Friday, Mr. Srinivasa Rao said the findings of the CBI probe revealed a “systemic administrative collapse” under the previous YSRCP regime.
“The alleged use of adulterated ghee in the preparation of prasadam at the TTD-run shrine was not a procedural lapse but a violation that shook the moral foundation of institutional faith,” he said.
Mr. Srinivasa Rao accused the YSRCP leadership of dragging Heritage Foods into the controversy to divert attention from the key issue of accountability within the temple administration. He dismissed as “baseless and speculative” claims that Heritage had supplied adulterated ghee to Tirumala. Claims suggesting ownership links between Heritage and the Maharashtra-based dairy were being circulated without documentary evidence, he said.
The TDP leader pointed to statements attributed to former TTD chairman YV Subba Reddy admitting irregularities in the matter. “If irregularities are admitted, then responsibility cannot be given to external entities,” he said, accusing the YSRCP of trying to shift focus rather than address the administrative chain of responsibility.
He expressed confidence that the full sequence of events surrounding the adulterated ghee allegation will be established and accountability will be established in accordance with law.
Published – 20 Feb 2026 20:51 IST