Former Chief Minister and Jagan Mohan Reddy is facing a catch-22 situation in his political career. After facing a jolt in the election and followed by defections of important leaders, the present Laddu controversy has created new hurdles. The adulterated ghee usage in Tirumala laddu issue has turned out to be a political controversy among the political parties across the country.
At one stage the criticism against the YSR Congress president Jagan in the laddu controversy got a mixed response. One section of people believed that the adulterated ghee might have been used in Laddu making. But they also felt that adulterated ghee had nothing to do with Jagan. Some thought there were some lapses due to misrule including selection of officers and the concerned administrative body during Jagan’s period. But Jagan Mohan Reddy announcement to Tirumala triggered exchange of words with Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and TDP leaders.
The State government and Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) along with the leaders of NDA parties asked YS Jagan Mohan Reddy to submit a declaration at the time of visiting Tirumala temple. It is a custom introduced by the TTD long ago for the people of other religions to visit the temple after submitting their declaration. Several eminent leaders like Sonia Gandhi, Abdul Kalam, Farooq Abdullah, and Shahrukh Khan submitted their declarations about their faith in god during their visit. Jagan Mohan Reddy never followed the custom during his previous visits when he was Chief Minister. Now the TTD including Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu raised the point to submit his declaration. Everyone knows the family members of Jagan follow Christianity. As per the rule of TTD, Jagan should submit his declaration. But he cancelled his proposed visit blaming the government.
As a Chief Minister Jagan presented pattu vastralu at various temples including Tirumala in the past. In his administration the Jagan didn’t follow the rule at Tirumala. Now the declaration rule of TTD has forced Jagan to cancel visit Tirumala as per the version of home minister V Anita. Now YSR Congress president is facing a catch 22 situation. If he follows the TTD custom and gives the declaration, he doesn’t know how his supporters would react. Moreover, people may question why Jagan did not follow the same rule in the past and why he violated the temple Custom in the Chief Minister’s position. . It is an open secret that the majority of Christians are supporters of Jagan.
He might be apprehensive of their reaction. But he should realise that a section of Hindus also visit churches and pray to Jesus as part of their daily spiritual life. On the other hand, he might have felt ego and cancelled the Tirumala visit when the Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu also raised the declaration rule issue. The security agencies also warned that his visit would lead to law and order problems following the controversial statements of BJP and its associated bodies. But in the past, Chandrababu Naidu visited Ramateerdham temple when he was in opposition though the state government created many hurdles with restrictions in all his way. One thing is clear that Jagan Mohan Reddy is in the catch 22 situation.
Also Read:https://thecapital.org.in/sc-chief-justice-dy-chandrachud-offers-prayers-at-tirumala/