‘Nobody will be spared’: Andhra Pradesh Minister Nara Lokesh calls for action amid Tirupati Prasadam row

Vijaywada (Andhra Pradesh) [India], September 21 (ANI): In response to the ongoing controversy regarding the presence of animal fat in Tirupati Prasadam, Andhra Pradesh Minister Nara Lokesh emphasized that "nobody will be spared," expressing that his own sentiments have also been hurt.
Citing a July report of the presence of animal fat instead of ghee in the Tirupati Prasadam Lokesh said that the analysis done by the government run lab "is clear" and that the allegations made by Anhdra Pradesh Chief Minister are "based on facts"
"Action will be taken. CM will make a statement on it (demand for CBI inquiry). Nobody will be spared but we will not drop this matter just with a CBI inquiry. Further steps have to be taken. We have to put a 'full stop' to this...Structural changes to ensure that this doesn't happen in the days to come have to be made, CM will announce the policy for it," Lokesh said while speaking to ANI.

Targeting Former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Jagan Mohan Reddy, Lokesh said, "This happens when the CM doesnt have a vision. We personally also feel very bad. We are going to streamline the process of investigation".
Regarding the late disclosure of the report, Nara Lokesh stated, "TTD (Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams) operates as an independent body. The Chief Minister's role is limited to appointing the Executive Officer. It is an autonomous organization, and the report went directly to the Chief Minister."

Menawhile, several opposition leaders have criticized the previous government of Andhra Pradesh amid the ongoing controversy and have called for action against those responsible for "hurting the Hindu sentiments"

Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu called it a matter of people's faith and said the allegations have hurt the sentiments of devotees.

Speaking to ANI, Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu said, "This (Tirupati Prasadam issue) is a matter related to the faith, there should be no ifs and buts. I want these things to be false, as it hurts people's sentiments. We also go there. If the Union Health Minister has said that an inquiry will be done, it must be welcomed."

Speaking to ANI, Uttar Pradesh BJP MLA Sidharth Nath Singh said, "Recently we are seeing in politics that, particularly the opposition--be it Congress, Samajwadi Party, now recently we are seeing on Tirupati Prasadam the previous government of Jagan Reddy, they all love to and it has become a political habit to insult the Hindu faith, the Sanatana Dharma. So, this is becoming a kind of political activity."

The row comes days after Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu claimed that substandard ingredients, including animal fat, were used in the preparation of Tirupati laddus, a sweet offered at the Sri Venkateswara temple in Tirupati, during the previous Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) government.

Reacting to the allegations, former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy alleged on Friday that the Telegu Desam Party (TDP) is "politicising religious matters."

"The tender process occurs every six months, and the qualification criteria has not changed for decades. Suppliers must provide an NABL certificate and a product quality certificate. TTD collects samples from the ghee, and only products that pass certification are used. TDP is politicising religious matters. We have rejected the products in our regime 18 times," the former CM said.

YSRCP chief Jagan Mohan Reddy on Friday said that he will write a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and claimed that Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has twisted the facts. (ANI)