Former Tourism Minister and ex-MLA from Nagari constituency in Chittoor district RK Roja Selvamani hasn’t yet reacted on the ongoing controversy over adulteration of Tirupati Laddu prasadam that shook the sentiments of Hindu community across the world. Everyone is aware of the fact that Roja used to visit Tirumala Hills very often when YSRCP was in power as she was the tourism minister. She was accused by TDP and Janasena parties several times for misusing the protocol only to facilitate special darshanam for those who accompanied her after paying huge amount.
It is surprising that Roja, who was once a firebrand leader in YSR Congress party, didn’t speak out about the allegations levelled against her party for desecrating the sanctity of Tirupati prasadam through adulteration by using substandard ghee. As Roja hails from the combined Chittor district in which Tirupati is also an integral party, many have expected Roja to come out and voice her opinion over this controversial issue. Moreover, she was a frequent visitor to Tirumala in the last couple of years.
After she lost the 2024 elections, Roja hardly appeared in the political scene of Andhra Pradesh in the first two months. She didn’t react much on any political issue of the state. Neither did she open up on any public issue far. She recently became active after YS Jagan Mohan Reddy appointed as her as one of the official spokesperson for the party. She spoke about Vijayawada floods in a video byte but didn’t come out before the media.
Political circles believe that Roja is intentionally steering clear of this controversy because of the fear that Chandrababu Naidu’s government might launch an investigation into her alleged irregularities she committed as a tourism minister and expose how she misused the protocol to sell special darshanam tickets of TTD.
The laddu controversy damaged the reputation of YSR Congress party at national level and resulted in huge backlash from all quarters. Though Jagan Mohan Reddy held a press meet to condemn the allegations, the facts presented by the government clearly proved that adulterated ghee was used in preparation of Tirupati Laddus.
So, it remains to be seen if Roja responds on the issue in her style or stays silent to avoid further controversy.