Hyderabad: Polina Anjani Konidela, the younger daughter of Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, signed a faith declaration before visiting the Tirupati temple with her father today. Per the temple’s regulations, non-Hindus and foreigners must affirm their faith in the deity before entering. Polina, the daughter of Pawan Kalyan and Anna Lezhneva, is also an Overseas Citizen of India, along with her brother Mark. She completed the declaration forms provided by the temple officials, and since she is a minor, Mr. Kalyan also signed them.
Aadya, the Jana Sena leader’s daughter from his first marriage to Renu Desai, joined them for the temple visit. In a post on X, the party noted, “Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister, Sri @PawanKalyan’s younger daughter, Polena Anjani Konidela, has submitted a declaration for the darshan of Tirumala Sri Venkateswara Swamy. Because Polena Anjani is a minor, her father, Sri Pawan Kalyan garu, also signed the documents.”
Pawan Kalyan is on a three-day visit to the Tirupati temple as part of an 11-day penance amid significant political controversy regarding the Tirupati laddoo. His ally, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, accused the YSRCP government of using animal fat in the laddoo preparation, a claim that YSRCP leader and former Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy denied.
Following Naidu’s allegations, Kalyan expressed remorse for not uncovering the alleged use of animal fat in the laddoos sooner. He commented that the once-sacred Tirumala Laddu Prasadam has been tainted by past rulers’ immoral actions, calling it a stain on Hinduism for being unaware of such issues initially. He expressed his shock and guilt upon learning about the supposed inclusion of animal remains in the prasadam, stating his hurt over the matter given his commitment to the people’s welfare.
