Amaravati, February 25, 2026: YSRCP leader and former TTD trust board chairman Bhumana Karunakara Reddy sharply criticised Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu for labelling him a Christian during an Assembly debate, calling the religious tag unacceptable and politically motivated.
The row erupted on February 24 amid heated exchanges over ghee adulteration allegations at Tirumala temple. Naidu accused opposition YSRCP figures of blasphemous acts harmful to Hindu sentiments and highlighted photos from Reddy's daughter's wedding at a church to support the label.
Reddy hit back in Tirupati, clarifying the ceremony followed Hindu Vedic rituals fully; he attended the church part only as the bride's father to respect the groom's side.
He pointed to Naidu posing with pastors and a Bible at Christmas, and minister Nara Lokesh in a skull cap at an Iftar, questioning if such moments redefine anyone's faith. Reddy urged an end to casual religious labelling, suspecting it as a tactic to target him and others.
