Karimnagar: Afraid of divine repercussions, Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao will most probably not visit the Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swamy Devasthanam in Vemulawada on Maha Shivratri on February 17 to present silk clothing to Lord Shiva as per custom.

Apparently astrologers have advised Mr Rao that offering prayers at this ancient temple might affect his political career. Before the general elections, Mr Rao had promised to visit the temple and strive hard to develop it. He had regretted that the shrine had been ignored by previous governments headed by Seemandhra leaders. The electorate of Vemulawada Assembly constituency had even voted TRS candidate Ch. Ramesh Babu in power.

Mr Rao’s decision to not visit the shrine seems to be due to the public opinion that the temple has a negative impact on public representatives’ careers. Many leaders have lost elections after offering prayers at Vemulawada’s Rajanna temple.

“As per advice of some astrologers, whom Mr Rao always follows before starting a programme, the Chief Minister will not visit the temple. So most probably he will not present silk clothing to the principal deity of the temple. Instead, either a minister or legislator will take the responsibility,” said a TRS source.

When contacted, Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swamy temple’s executive officer D. Rajeshwar said the Chief Minister’s tour had not been finalised yet. Sources, however, said that Mr Rao would not come for the annual three-day Jatara, one of the largest congregations in district.

Residents of the temple town had pinned their hopes on Mr Rao’s visit, hoping that he would bestow some sops on the town. The temple registers around Rs 50 crore income per annum.

Source: DC