Hyderabad: Contesting politicians and those still negotiating for a ticket are making a beeline to Chilkur Balaji Temple located in the Chevella assembly constituency.
So far, eight MLAs from the the TRS and the Congress performed Pradakshina and have vowed to complete 108 Pradakshina if they win.
The temple authorities have now been informed of the possible visit of MP Kavitha and caretaker minister Mr. K. T Rama Rao who are likely to visit before they filed the nominations papers for the coming elections
Many politicos have already paid a visit to Lord Balaji temple including Mr. C Kanaka Reddy, former Malkajgiri MLA who is still negotiating for a ticket for his constituency and Chevella TRS MLA Mr. Kale Yadiah.
Meanwhile Warangal MLA Mr. Dasyam Vijay Bhaskar conducted special pujas. From the Congress, Malla Reddy Ranga Reddy, a Congressman from Maheshwaram constituency and senior leader Mr. Komatireddy Rajagopal Reddy also visited the temple.
A priest with the Chilkur Balaji Temple said, “A majority of them come to seek the blessings of Lord Balaji before they begin their campaign. Those who have already been allocated a ticket perform pujas to win the elections and those who have not, pray for an entry token. Two women legislators from TRS were the last to pay a visit.”
The priest further added, “Unlike other big temples, there is no special darshan at Chilkur Balaji Temple, there is no VIP queue. The politicians sit along with the priest chanting the name of Balaji. In return, the priest requests the help from politicians to empower the ‘Archakas’ (temple priests) community, if they come into power and also ask the government not to indulge in the activities of the temple.”
It may be recalled that AP Chief Minister Mr. Chandrababu Naidu performed 11 Pradakshinas before the previous election.
The temple is also witnessing a huge rush of young devotees (students) praying for the reduction of their engineering subject backlogs. Special pujas have also been performed to increase the rupee value against the dollar, said the temple authorities.
