Jagan Mohan Reddy cancels Tirumala visit, says Chandrababu Naidu came up with faith declaration issue

YSRCP chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy cancels Tirupati temple visit amid controversy over laddu quality allegations.

Opposition YSRCP chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has cancelled his planned trip to the Tirupati Lord Venkateshwara Temple, sources close to him said on Friday (September 27, 2024).

His much hyped Tirumala tour was announced as part of the YSRCP's call for prayers in temples to atone for TDP supremo and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu's 'sin' through his allegations on the quality of Tirupati laddus.

Sources close to Mr. Reddy confirmed that his visit to the hill shrine has been cancelled, but did not immediately divulge the reason behind the decision that came just a couple of hours before he was supposed to depart to the temple town.

The cancellation of Mr. Reddy's visit came amid demands by NDA allies in Andhra Pradesh that he should declare his faith before entering the temple .

At a press conference, Mr. Reddy said everyone in the country knows his religion and he has visited Tirumala temple several times even before becoming the CM.

He said though he reads the Bible within the four walls, he respects Islam, Hinduism and Sikhism.

Mr. Reddy said TVs are showing that thousands of police personnel were deployed in Tirupati to prevent his leaders from going to the temple.