In a scathing attack, YSR Congress Party chief Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has accused Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu of turning the sacred Tirumala Venkateswara Temple into a political stage for personal gains. Speaking from Amaravati on Wednesday, Reddy questioned Naidu’s devotion to Lord Venkateswara and his integrity in managing the temple’s affairs.
Reddy highlighted recent controversies surrounding the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), emphasizing that such a revered institution, worshipped by millions worldwide as the abode of Kaliyuga’s living god, demands leaders of impeccable character, unwavering faith, and absolute honesty. ‘This holy sanctum should be led by those with spotless integrity and true commitment,’ he asserted in a social media post.
Pointing to allegations against TTD Chairman B.R. Naidu, Reddy revealed that even before elections, a woman had written to Naidu complaining of betrayal and harassment by the chairman. Women seeking minor jobs were allegedly tormented, yet Naidu ignored these serious claims and appointed the same individual, compromising the temple’s sanctity.
‘A true devotee of Lord Venkateswara would never make such decisions,’ Reddy thundered, adding that Naidu’s actions expose a lack of basic reverence, devotion, and accountability.
The controversy extends to the temple’s famous laddu prasad. During Naidu’s previous tenure, substandard ghee consignments rejected by TTD labs were reportedly reintroduced under different names and used in laddu preparation. CBI-SIT chargesheets detail this on multiple pages, underscoring gross negligence in preserving prasad purity.
Reddy accused Naidu of now shifting blame while stoking political fires. Ghee procurement prices, stable at Rs 278-330 per kg from 2014-2024, skyrocketed to Rs 658 per kg in 2025 from a company linked to Naidu’s associates, allegedly funneling profits through manipulated contracts.
These revelations paint a picture of a leader exploiting a sacred trust for political mileage, eroding public faith in one of India’s holiest sites. Reddy’s outburst signals escalating tensions ahead of future elections, with temple governance at the heart of the political battle.