Laddu row: ghee priced at ₹360 per kg is adulterated, says Lokesh

Asserting that pure ghee cannot be procured at a low price of ₹360 per kg, Andhra Pradesh IT and HDR Minister Nara Lokesh has said any such product available at that price would be adulterated, challenging the opposition parties to prove their claims over the pricing of ghee being procured by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD).

During an informal interaction with journalists in the Assembly lobbies on the sidelines of the budget discussion on Monday, Mr. Lokesh said the prevailing market price of ghee is more than ₹1,000 per kg. “Show me where ghee is available at ₹360 per kg. If it is being sold at that price, it is adulterated,” he remarked, dismissing the allegations raised by the YSRCP.

Denying any link between Indapur Dairy and Heritage, Mr. Lokesh clarified that Indapur Dairy was only a co-packer and not a subsidiary.

Referring to comments made by YSRCP leader Botcha Satyanarayana, Mr. Lokesh questioned whether such a senior leader was unaware of the meaning of the term ‘co-company’.

Pointing out that Heritage is a listed company, Mr. Lokesh said that although complaints had been lodged with SEBI, no evidence had been produced to substantiate the allegations.

Turning to the party affairs, Mr. Lokesh said there was complete coordination between junior and senior leaders. He stressed that every leader, including himself, must secure a majority in their respective booths to strengthen the organisation structurally.

He criticised the YSRCP members for stalling the Legislative Council for four days and later demanding a discussion on the State Budget, asking whether they were unaware of the consequences of their actions.

Referring to his recent meetings with the party workers and their families, Mr. Lokesh said the interactions were non-political and aimed at reconnecting after a two-year gap since the Yuva Galam programme.