Telugu Desam Chief Seeks Divine Blessings at Tirumala Temple

TIRUPATI: Telugu Desam (TD) president, Nara Chandrababu Naidu, offered prayers at the Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple in Tirumala on Friday morning.

 Accompanied by his wife Nara Bhuvaneshwari and a group of TD leaders, Naidu bowed before the presiding deity, expressing his gratitude for the “divine intervention” that he believes saved his life in the 2003 claymore mine attack and during the recent cases and his jailing.

As is the custom, Naidu first worshipped at the Bhu-Varaha Swamy temple before proceeding to the main temple. He later participated in the rituals at the Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple and received Veda Aseervachanam from the pundits. Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams officials also presented teertha prasadams to the former chief minister.

 Speaking to the media after the darshan, Naidu reflected on his deep connections with Lord Venkateswara, emphasising the deity's influence in his political and personal lives.

He recounted the life-threatening incident in 2003 when the deity's blessings saved him from a Naxalite attack at claymore mines near Alipiri.

"Lord Venkateswara holds a special place as our family deity. It is through the benevolent grace of the almighty that I ascended to great positions," he stated.

The TD chief also acknowledged that he was “turning to prayer for justice” during the recent tumultuous periods in his life. Thanking the Telugu people globally for their support during his period of imprisonment, Naidu said, "I sought Lord Venkateswara's blessings for strength and good health for me in improving the lives of the Andhra people. My aspiration is to see India becoming a global leader, with AP emerging as the number-one state in the nation.”

Asked by the media about his future political course, the TD chief remained tight-lipped. He did not want to discuss political matters at the holy town. "I will disclose my action plan very soon," he said.

Meanwhile, mild tension arose at the Gayatri Nilayan rest house, where Naidu stayed during his two-day pilgrimage to Tirumala. An altercation occurred between local police and MLC K. Srikanth, who alleged obstruction and use of abusive language by police officials. The situation was diffused with the intervention of TD senior leaders and higher police officials.