The controversy surrounding the alleged use of animal fat in Tirupati laddoos has ignited significant political turmoil in Andhra Pradesh. However, it has not adversely affected the sales of this cherished prasad at the Sri Venkateshwara Temple, which attracts over 60,000 pilgrims daily.

According to the temple administration, a remarkable 1.4 million Tirupati laddoos have been sold over the past four days. The sales figures included 359,000 laddoos on September 19, 317,000 on September 20, 367,000 on September 21, and 360,000 on September 22, aligning with their average daily sales of approximately 350,000 laddoos.

When asked about the ongoing controversy, devotee Venkateshwar Rao stated, "Our faith is too strong to be shaken." Many other pilgrims expressed that the issue surrounding the laddoos is now considered a "thing of the past."

The temple prepares over 300,000 laddoos each day, with many visitors purchasing them as gifts for friends and family. The key ingredients of the Tirupati laddu include Bengal gram, cow ghee, sugar, cashews, raisins, and almonds, with around 15,000 kg of cow ghee used daily in their preparation.

The dispute intensified after Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu claimed that the ghee used in making the laddoos during the previous YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) administration contained animal fat. In response, the state government has established a Special Investigation Team to probe the allegations.

Former Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, whose party lost the recent state elections, accused the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) of politicizing religious issues. He stated, "The tender process occurs every six months, and the qualification criteria have not changed for decades. Suppliers must provide a NABL certificate and a product quality certificate. The TTD collects samples of the ghee, and only products that pass certification are used. The TDP is politicizing religious matters," labeling Naidu as a "pathological and habitual liar."