YSRCP terms laddu probe ‘diversion tactic’ as CBI affirms ghee purity

Vijayawada: Strongly objecting to what it termed baseless allegations and false propaganda by the coalition govt, the YSRCP said the committee appointed on the Tirupati laddu issue was only a "diversionary tactic" to shift public attention from the CBI charge sheet, which categorically stated there was no animal fat in the ghee, contrary to claims made by chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu.Addressing the media on Thursday, MPs YV Subba Reddy, Mithun Reddy, M Gurumoorthy, and Golla Babu Rao said the CBI-SIT report clearly confirmed that no animal fat was used in the ghee for laddus and did not name any YSRCP leaders. They alleged that Naidu, unable to digest the findings, was resorting to false propaganda and had set up a committee to push the TDP narrative.Condemning Naidu for dragging Lord Venkateswara into political controversy, the MPs dismissed claims that the CFTI report was suppressed by TTD. Subba Reddy clarified that he himself had requested the probe by the Central Food Technology Research Institute, and later moved the Supreme Court for a CBI inquiry. "The CBI categorically stated there was no animal fat in the ghee used for laddus. Naidu's remarks hurt devotees' sentiments. If this malicious campaign continues, I will explore legal options," he said.The MPs accused coalition leaders of erecting hoardings and posters across the state to malign YSRCP, and said they would not remain passive.