Andhra Pradesh’s Legislative Council erupted into chaos on Friday as the opposition YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) demanded a debate on alleged irregularities in the supply of ghee for Tirumala laddu, involving Heritage Foods, a family firm of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.
The YSRCP accused a nexus between Heritage Foods and Indapur Dairy, citing evidence of inflated contracts and reversal of disqualifications as the basis for their adjournment motion request. However, Council Chairman Koyye Moshenu Raju rejected the notices given by YSRCP members, leading to attempts by opposition legislators to stall the proceedings by raising slogans.
During the commotion, members of the ruling coalition strongly condemned the YSRCP’s actions, with Minister for Finance and Legislative Affairs Payyavula Keshav objecting to the opposition legislators holding pictures of Sri Venkateswara Swamy in their hands while wearing shoes. He accused the YSRCP of having no faith in the God and resorting to a sacrilegious act.
The incident sparked a ruckus in the House, with members from both sides trading accusations. Leader of Opposition Botsa Satyanarayana insisted on a debate being held regarding the inflated contracts, while YSRCP president and former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy had previously claimed that all irregularities in the supply of adulterated ghee for Tirupati laddu took place during Chandrababu Naidu’s term but have been shifted onto political opponents.
