Stalemate over laddu issue in Council amid heated exchanges

Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council adjourns amid heated exchanges over the Tirumala laddu issue, preventing any discussion.

The Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council was adjourned on Thursday without taking up the scheduled discussion on the Tirumala laddu issue, following heated exchanges between treasury and opposition benches at Amaravati.

The government had agreed in the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) to a short discussion on alleged irregularities in the supply of ghee to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD). However, when the Finance Minister Payyavula Keshav sought to make a statement before the discussion, opposition members objected, insisting that members be allowed to speak first. Amid protests and sloganeering, the Chairman Koyye Moshenu Raju disallowed the Minister’s statement and later adjourned the House.

Speaking to the media outside the Assembly, Leader of the Opposition in the Council Botcha Satyanarayana accused the government of “deliberately stalling” the debate to shield alleged corruption linked to Heritage Foods, promoted by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s family. He claimed that the controversy over “adulterated ghee” in TTD laddu prasadam was a political conspiracy and demanded a comprehensive discussion on the role of Indapur, Vaishnavi and other dairies in ghee supply contracts.

Mr. Botcha further alleged that the government failed to respond directly to questions on the Rayalaseema Lift Irrigation Scheme and remarks made in the Telangana Assembly by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy. Instead of offering clarifications, he said, the Ministers diverted the debate and created disruptions.

Several YSRCP MLCs described the day as a “dark chapter” in the Council’s history, alleging that ruling party members surrounded the Chairman’s podium to prevent discussion.

Responding sharply, Council Chief Whip and TDP leader Panchumarthi Anuradha accused the YSRCP members of staging theatrics and obstructing the Minister from making his statement. She said the Opposition had derailed Question Hour and disrupted the budget session, forcing the Chair to adjourn proceedings.