Allegations about the presence of beef and pig fat in the Tirupati temple laddoos have triggered a political slugfest ahead of key elections, with the BJP threatening retribution, ally Telugu Desam fingering state rival YSR Congress, and the Congress too dripping outrage.

Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu had kicked off the controversy on Thursday claiming the ghee used in preparing the laddoos at the shrine, located in his state, was adulterated with animal fat on his predecessor Jagan Mohan Reddy’s watch.

Reddy has denied the charge although Naidu’s ruling Telugu Desam Party — a BJP ally — has been waving a test report by a Gujarat laboratory to back its claim.

The Andhra Congress has jumped into the ring, demanding a CBI probe into the “act of desecration” while asking why the Desam, which came to power in June, had sat for two months over the lab report that was submitted in July.

News agency PTI quoted the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD), which manages the Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple in Tirumala, as saying the shrine had “immediately stopped” receiving the “adulterated” ghee and would take legal action against the contractor who supplied it.

Union health minister (and BJP president) J.P. Nadda on Friday promised “suitable action” while party colleagues free of the constraints of office openly looked to exploit Hindu sentiments.

Nadda told reporters he had spoken to Naidu. “I have asked him to share the available report so that I can examine…. Suitable action will be taken as per the food safety standards.”

Amit Malviya, head of the BJP IT cell, was more strident. “Lab test report confirms beef fat, fish oil used in making laddus at Tirupati Balaji Temple. Those responsible for this act of defiling Hindu religious sentiments must be incarcerated,” he posted on X.

“Unless Hindus unite, they will be subjected to such humiliation, in the name of ‘secularism’,” he added for good measure.

Junior Union home minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar, who is from Telangana, said he had written to Naidu demanding a CBI probe. “This has shaken the sentiments of Hindus across the globe & is unforgivable offence,” he posted on X.

In a letter to Union home minister Amit Shah, Andhra Congress president Y.S. Sharmila Reddy said: “It is concerning that despite the passage of two months since the report was submitted, the state government has not initiated an inquiry. The sentiments of crores of devotees are at stake, and if proven true, this matter transcends state issues and constitutes a serious act of desecration.”

The Gujarat-based Centre for Analysis and Learning in Livestock and Food (Calf) of the National Dairy Development Board had submitted its report to the TTD in July. It said an analysis of ghee samples had found fish oil, beef tallow and lard (pig fat) along with other plant-based foreign fats.

Sharmila, the estranged sister of Jagan Mohan, wrote to Shah: “Given the gravity of this situation, we request that you order an immediate CBI investigation. If the allegations hold true, those responsible must face strict legal consequences, regardless of their political connections or social status.

“Tirumala is one of the most sacred places in our country, and it is imperative that it remains free from political interference.”

Earlier in the day, Congress media department chairman Pawan Khera had issued a more nuanced statement.

“If the claims of desecration of the Tirupati laddoos is right, of course a full-fledged enquiry must identify the guilty and strictest possible punishment must be meted out. BUT, if the claims are wrong or motivated, then millions of devotees of Tirupati will not forgive those playing with their faith,” he said.

“Until then, it suits the BJP to allow polarising conspiracy theories to fly thick in the air in election season.”

TTD executive officer J. Shyamala Rao said all four ghee samples tested “gave similar results”, PTI reported.

The agency quoted him as saying: “So we immediately stopped (receiving) the supplies. And the blacklisting of the contractor was initiated and the procedure to impose penalties would also be initiated. Now, the legal process will start.”

Temple ‘protection’ call

Andhra deputy chief minister and Jana Sena Party chief Pawan Kalyan has sought a national “Sanatana Dharma Rakshana Board” to manage Hindu temples across the country, responding to a demand from the X handle “Hindu IT cell”.

The BJP and the Desam refrained from directly endorsing the demand. “It is Pawan Kalyan’s personal outlook’ The central government will look into his demand,” a BJP leader said.

The BJP has been pressing for the “liberation” of Hindu temples from government control, particularly with DMK-ruled Tamil Nadu in mind. All major temples in the southern state are managed by the state government, with a ministry dedicated to the task.