Changed ghee brand behind 'animal fat in Tirupati laddoo' controversy?
Hyderabad: Massive controversy has erupted surrounding a recent lab report confirming Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu's claims regarding the quality of ghee used for Tirupati laddoos during the YSR Congress Party's regime. The report revealed the presence of fish oil, beef tallow, and lard (obtained by rendering the fatty tissue of a pig) in the ghee samples. This revelation has also brought the focus regarding the halt in the supply of the renowned Nandini ghee last year.
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) board, responsible for managing the temple, typically sources 5 lakh kg of ghee annually through tenders issued every six months. However, the Jagan Mohan Reddy-led government ceased sourcing Nandini ghee last year from the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) after nearly 15 years, citing pricing disputes. KMF chairman Bheema Naik previously stated that the laddoos will not be the same anymore, emphasising the quality assurance that Nandini ghee provides.
Daily production of approximately 3.5 lakh laddoos at Tirupati requires substantial quantities of high-quality ingredients, including 400-500 kg of ghee, 750 kg of cashew nuts, and 200 kg of cardamom, with each laddoo costing around Rs 40 to produce.
Meanwhile, in response to the lab findings regarding the ghee's composition, a four member committee has been established by the TTD to keep a check on the ghee procured by the shrine. The committee will additionally advise on terms and conditions to be included for procuring quality ghee.
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CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
