Chandrababu Naidu vs Jagan Reddy over faith 'declaration' at Tirupati temple

Chandrababu Naidu slammed Jagan Mohan Reddy for claiming TDP-led government obstructed his visit to Tirumala temple, saying "He is spreading lies".

In Short

• Chandrababu Naidu accused Jagan Reddy of spreading lies about temple visit
• YSR Congress chief postponed Tirupati visit citing notices to party leaders
• Naidu asked former Chief Minister to show the notice his party got

A war of words erupted between the former and incumbent chief ministers of Andhra Pradesh after YSR Congress president Jagan Mohan Reddy postponed his planned visit to Tirupati Lord Venkateshwara Temple earlier in the day.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu slammed Jagan Mohan Reddy for claiming that the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) government obstructed his visit to Tirumala temple, saying "He is spreading lies".

Naidu also rejected Reddy's claim that he could not go to Tirupati as his party leaders and workers were issued notices by police warning them not to participate in his temple visit.

"Did anyone stop you from going? Show the notice, if you have, to the media. Why are you spreading lies," Chandrababu Naidu dared Reddy.

According to rules, foreigners and non-Hindus should declare their reverence for Lord Venkateswara to have a darshan of the presiding deity at the hill shrine.

Speaking to reporters after Jagan Reddy postponed his visit, the Chief Minister said that people in public life should follow the traditions and do what needs to be done.

"If you want to visit a place of worship, you need to respect those traditions. No one is above those beliefs and traditions. No one should disrespect the traditions of the gods and beliefs of the devotees and you can't act in a manner that is humiliating to both," Naidu said.

Earlier in the day, Jagan Reddy dubbed Chandrababu Naidu's rule as "Rakshasa Rajyam" (kingdom of demons) and also attacked BJP for turning a blind eye on the laddu issue.

"On one hand, all our people are being issued notices threatening that they (police) will file cases. On the other side they are bringing BJP people from the neighbouring state to create a law and order problem and a religious issue to cover up Chandrababu's misdeed," the YSRCP chief had said.

"As a person who respects and loves Venkateswara Swamy, I do not want to go there and divert the topic. So I am postponing my tour," he said without announcing any fresh date of visit.

"In order to divert the failures of his (Chandrababu Naidu) 100 days rule and to divert attention, Chandrababu Naidu brought up the Laddu issue. To cover up his failures on the Laddu issue, he came up with the faith declaration issue. He intentionally planted seeds of doubts on the Laddu quality," Reddy added.

A nationwide controversy erupted last week after Chandrababu Naidu alleged the use of substandard ghee and the presence of animal fat in the famous Tirupati laddus during the previous YSRCP regime.

The YSRCP, in turn, accused Naidu of indulging in "heinous allegations" for political gain.