Andhra Pradesh, India

Former Chief Minister of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, Jagan Mohan Reddy, cancelled his visit to the Tirupati temple on Friday (Sep 27), amid the ongoing laddoo row.  

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YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) Chief Reddy was scheduled to visit the temple as part of temple rituals to atone for the "sins" committed by his successor and incumbent Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu. 

Reddy's plan to visit the temple comes amid the Andhra Pradesh CM's allegation that the previous YSRCP government used animal fat and substandard ingredients for making the prasadam laddoos at Sri Venkateswara temple in Tirupati. The allegations led to major controversies in the country. 

Also read: Tirupati Prasad row: YSRCP moves Andhra High Court after CM Naidu's allegation of adulteration

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B Karunakar Reddy, former chairman, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) custodian of Lord Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple on Tirumala Hills, said he and the party leaders were issued notices by the police asking them not to defy orders.

Former Andhra Pradesh CM stressed that the "demon rule" is continuing in the state.

He added, "The government is trying to obstruct my upcoming visit to the Tirumala temple. Police have issued notices to YSRCP leaders across the state regarding the temple visit. The notice states that the visit to the Tirumala temple is not permitted, and the program organized by YSRCP does not have the necessary approval. Consequently, leaders are not allowed to participate in that programme."

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He added that as a former chairman of the TTD, he should be permitted for a darshan along with seven members which they were planning to utilise on Friday.

Watch | India: Tirupati Temple 'purified' Amid Row Over Alleged Animal Fat In Ladoos

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"Some of our leaders were given notices at midnight not to come out... It is nothing but madness if the officials ask Jagan Mohan Reddy to give a declaration because he offered silk robes to Lord Venkateswara Swamy several times during festivals," Reddy said.

Police issues notice 

Ahead of their visit, the district police on Friday issued a notice to several leaders and cadres of the party, not to defy Section 30 of the Police Act which is in force.

"Section 30 of the Police Act which regulates public assemblies and processions is in force in the district. We have noticed several postings on social media platforms asking people to gather at certain places in Tirupati. The notices are nothing but cautioning them not to come and defy orders. Jagan Mohan Reddy may also be issued a notice at the airport not to defy prohibitory orders," the official told news agency PTI.

(With inputs from agencies)