The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Lalu Prasad, Rabri offer prayers at Tirumala

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Sep 18, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Lalu Prasad, Rabri offer prayers at Tirumala

By Our Staff Reporter

TIRUMALA, SEPT. 17. The Union Minister for Railways, Lalu Prasad, accompanied by his wife, Rabri Devi, and other family members offered prayers at the temple of Lord Venkateswara here this morning.

On his arrival at the temple complex, the duo were received by the temple authorities and were led into the sanctum sanctorum along with other Union Ministers such as Panabaka Laxmi and Velu, where they stood in front of the main deity for about 10 minutes and paid their obeisance. Later, while going around the temple precincts, the priests explained the historical importance of the temple to the dignitaries.

Pilgrimage

Later talking to mediapersons after coming out of the temple complex, Mr Lalu Prasad said that there was no specific reason behind his visit and that he had come only on a pilgrimage. Asked whether he had any special prayers for his State of Bihar, which recently faced the fury of nature, Mr Lalu Prasad in his own humorous style replied in Hindi "Woh tho pahelese fixed hai," (it has already been conveyed to the Lord).

The Tirupati MLA, M. Venkataramana, who in an attempt to win his appreciation, said that he would like to see him as the Chief Minister of Bihar during his next visit to the temple town, was taken aback when Mr Lalu Prasad, with a wave of his hand, said that "Nahin, nahin, humare ummidein kuch aur hain" (No, no, I have got some other intentions), obviously referring to the statement which he had made in the past, that he would definitely become the Prime Minister one day.

Upbeat mood

Mr Prasad, who was in an upbeat mood all along, asked his wife Rabri Devi "Bolo bolo, dubara mukhya mantri banna hai" (Tell them that you prayed to become the Chief Minister of Bihar once again), when reporters asked her as to what she had prayed to the Lord.

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