The political feud between Andhra Pradesh's former Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and the current Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy intensified after Jagan Mohan Reddy accused Naidu's Telugu Desam Party (TDP)-led government of obstructing his visit to the sacred Tirumala Lord Venkateshwara Temple. Jagan Reddy claimed that his party members were issued police notices warning them against participating in the temple visit, which led him to postpone his planned pilgrimage. Chandrababu Naidu quickly dismissed these claims, accusing Reddy of "spreading lies" and manufacturing a controversy to gain political mileage.
Naidu strongly refuted Jagan Reddy’s accusations, challenging him to present any evidence of the supposed police notices that allegedly prevented the visit. "Did anyone stop you from going? Show the notice, if you have it, to the media. Why are you spreading lies?" Naidu boldly questioned. He also pointed out that Jagan Reddy’s claims were nothing more than an attempt to stir unnecessary controversy.Â
Naidu took the opportunity to remind Jagan Reddy and the public about the traditions and customs associated with visiting the Tirumala temple. According to temple rules, non-Hindus and foreigners are required to declare their faith and reverence for Lord Venkateswara before they are granted a darshan of the deity. Naidu suggested that people in public life, like Reddy, should respect these traditions and ensure they follow the required customs.
Addressing the media after Jagan Reddy postponed his visit, Naidu emphasized that no one is above religious beliefs and customs. He stressed that it is essential to honor these traditions and refrain from actions that could be seen as disrespectful or demeaning to the faith of the devotees. Naidu’s remarks came in response to Jagan Reddy’s decision to delay his temple visit, which the latter justified by saying he did not want to divert attention from more pressing issues facing the state.
Earlier, Jagan Reddy launched a scathing attack on Naidu’s government, referring to it as "Rakshasa Rajyam," or a "kingdom of demons," and accusing Naidu of using religious and political tactics to cover up his failures. Reddy claimed that while his own party members were being threatened with police notices, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders from neighboring states were being brought in to create a law and order situation. According to Reddy, this was a deliberate attempt by Naidu to shift public attention away from his administration’s shortcomings.
One of the key issues that fueled this political spat was the controversy surrounding the quality of the famous Tirupati laddus, a sacred offering at the Tirumala temple. Chandrababu Naidu had earlier accused the previous YSR Congress regime of using substandard ghee in the preparation of the laddus and even alleged that animal fat had been used. This claim sparked a nationwide uproar, with the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) condemning Naidu’s accusations as "heinous" and accusing him of resorting to such allegations purely for political gain.
Jagan Reddy, in his defense, stated that his decision to postpone the temple visit was rooted in his deep respect for Lord Venkateswara. He insisted that he did not want to create unnecessary distractions by visiting the temple at a time when religious and political tensions were running high. While Reddy refrained from announcing a new date for his visit, his decision to delay the pilgrimage has continued to fan the flames of political and religious debate in Andhra Pradesh.
Reddy also criticized Naidu for attempting to divert attention from his government's failures, particularly on the Laddu controversy. He accused Naidu of exploiting the faith declaration issue to shift the focus away from the complaints about the quality of the Tirupati laddus. Jagan Reddy maintained that his postponement of the visit was in response to these ongoing issues and the need to maintain respect for the sacred traditions of Tirumala. Despite the postponement, the political rhetoric between the two leaders has only intensified, with both sides accusing each other of dishonesty and manipulation.
This episode has highlighted the deeply intertwined nature of religion and politics in Andhra Pradesh, where the Tirumala temple holds immense cultural and spiritual significance. Both Chandrababu Naidu and Jagan Mohan Reddy have used their public personas as devotees of Lord Venkateswara to rally their supporters, making the controversy surrounding the temple visit a flashpoint in the ongoing political rivalry between the two leaders.
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