Tirupati laddu row: The laddu as a political weapon
Data show that the sale of laddus at Tirumala have shown no fall even after the controversy erupted. File photo: Special Arrangement
A famous sweet has left a bitter taste in Andhra Pradesh. Over the last week, the ghee-filled Srivari laddu, the prasadam or religious offering made to the deity of Sri Venkateswara at Tirumala in Tirupati district, has been in the midst of a political storm.It began with Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu making a startling statement that “animal fat” had been used to make the prasadam during the previous YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) government’s tenure. The Opposition, which was initially taken aback by the accusation, responded saying his statement was “irresponsible” and had been “made with malicious intent”. Senior YSRCP leaders Y.V. Subba Reddy and Bhuma...