In Andhra Pradesh, the political heat around the allegations linked to Heritage, Indapur and Bhole Baba continues to grow, with several YSRCP leaders, including Perni Nani, repeatedly raising the issue in press meets and on social media.
They have been demanding a direct clarification from Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and questioning why there has been no point-by-point response so far.
“If the allegations are false, why not Chandrababu show the records and close the matter once and for all?” asks Ravi, an auto driver from Guntur, echoing a sentiment that is now widely seen in political discussions.
On social media too, the debate has intensified, with both supporters and critics actively pushing their narratives.
While critics say the silence is adding to the suspicion, TDP supporters argue that the allegations are politically motivated and do not deserve a response.
“He has seen decades in public life. Not every charge needs an explanation,” says a party sympathizer from Kurnool.
However, whenever the issue surfaces, Naidu has been highlighting his devotion to Lord Venkateshwara and his daily worship, turning the conversation towards his personal faith.
This has triggered a larger public question on accountability versus belief.
“We are all devotees of Lord Venkateshwara. Faith is personal, but allegations in public life need public answers,” says Sireesha, a college student in Tirupati.
“The fundamental point is this. Millions worship Lord Venkateshwara every day. Does that make them immune to allegations and not answerable when questions are raised?”, asks Bhavani, another student.
For many neutral observers, Chandrababu is shocking with his diversion talk without talking responsibly.
“When the ghee adulteration issue was raised, I felt very disturbed. When the SIT report said there was no adulteration involving beef tallow or lard, I felt relieved. But Chandrababu Naidu kept reiterating his earlier claim as if to prove that what he had said first was true. That is unnecessarily disturbing. He kept on alleging. But now he too has some allegations to answer. Why he is not answering the allegations about Heritage’s links with other controversial ghee supply companies, with evidences is a wonder", says Ramanatha Sastry, a temple priest from Rajahmundry.
Pawan Kalyan twists his earlier statements, saying that he is not alleging that Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy or the government directly carried out the adulteration, but that TTD officials were responsible and they function under the purview of the government.
According to him, accepting the lapse is enough instead of making counter-allegations.
Responding to this, a lecturer commented, “Pawan Kalyan is in the government now and has the power to find out who is at fault. Why should he expect someone else to accept the guilt? This itself creates a doubt that something is fishy from the the present Alliance government side.”
On the whole, there is a strong sense of negativity among sections of the public, with many making sharp and critical comments.
At the same time, a few TDP sympathizers continue to defend their party leadership, unwilling to acknowledge any fault even when, according to their critics, the evidence appears to be clear.
