Ruckus in AP Council over Tirupati laddu issue, House adjourned

The Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council was adjourned twice following uproar over the alleged display of Sri Venkateswara Swamy’s images by YSRCP members and demands for discussion on the Tirupati laddu issue and Indapur Dairy’s alleged links to Heritage Foods.

Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council Chairman Koyye Moshen Raju on Friday briefly adjourned the House here following heated exchanges between opposition members and treasury benches over the alleged display of Sri Venkateswara Swamy pictures by YSRCP members.

The ruckus erupted after the chairman rejected a plea for discussion by Kumba Ravi Babu, D Madhava Rao and S Mangamma on Tirupati laddu prasadam and Indapur Dairy, allegedly linked to Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu family-owned Heritage Foods, suppling ghee to TTD.

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“It is not right to ask for a discussion after it has been rejected,” said Raju, amid protests by opppisition MLAs demanding a discussion.

Meanwhile, state Finance Minister P Keshav termed the alleged display of the deity’s images as “objectionable” and said it cannot be permitted.

“Chairman sir, the way they are behaving with Venkateswara Swamy photos. Do they have dignity. Will they drag (God) into politics?” asked Keshav.

“This has not happened in the history of the country. They (YSRCP MLCs) don’t have faith in God, they don’t respect God, no fear of God. Just walking in the way their leader (Jagan) directs them,” he said.

Calling the move “provocative”, Keshav urged Raju to take responsibility.

On Thursday, YSRCP supremo YS Jagan Mohan Reddy had alleged that Naidu is opposing a discussion on Indapur Dairy in the Council.

According to Reddy, Indapur Dairy was officially identified by Heritage as its manufacturing unit until February 10, 2026 and later redesignated as a co-manufacturing location on February 15, following a controversy over its alleged association with Heritage and ghee supply to TTD.

The opposition leader accused Naidu of enabling Indapur Dairy and Milk Products Ltd to participate in TTD tenders and qualify to supply ghee.

On February 13, Naidu expressed anguish over YSRCP leaders allegedly linking Heritage with the Tirupati laddu adulteration controversy.

Addressing the assembly, he said, “I don’t understand. I don’t know what Heritage has to do with it (laddu adulteration). Until now, Heritage did not ask money from the government. Will not ask in the future also.” Calling Heritage Foods a “family business for livelihood” being run through a professional management, Naidu accused YSRCP leaders of damaging its brand to create losses.

Though the Council reassembled after the adjournment, pandemonium continued as opposition members raised slogans, forcing the chairman to adjourn the House again until Monday.