Polina Anjani Konidela, the younger daughter of Andhra Pradesh’s Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, paid homage to Lord Venkateswara at the Tirupati temple today. Prior to her visit, Polina signed a declaration affirming her reverence for the deity, in compliance with temple regulations that require non-Hindus and foreign visitors to do so.
Polina, the daughter of Pawan Kalyan and his third wife, Anna Lezhneva, holds Overseas Citizen of India status alongside her brother Mark. Due to her minor status, her father also signed the necessary documents as required by temple authorities. Accompanying them was Aadya, Pawan Kalyan’s daughter from his first marriage to Renu Desai.
The Jana Sena party shared images of the signing on social media, emphasizing the importance of the declaration. In a post on X, they stated, “Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister, Sri @PawanKalyan’s younger daughter, Polena Anjani Konidela, has given a declaration for darshan of Tirumala Sri Venkateswara Swamy. Since Polena Anjani is a minor, her father, Sri Pawan Kalyan garu, also signed the documents.”
Pawan Kalyan’s visit to the temple is part of an 11-day penance linked to ongoing political controversies surrounding the revered Tirupati laddoo. The Deputy Chief Minister’s ally, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, had alleged that animal fat was incorporated into the laddoo during the tenure of the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP). YSRCP leader and former Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy has dismissed these accusations as unfounded.
In light of these allegations, Kalyan expressed remorse for not uncovering the supposed use of animal fat in the laddoo sooner. He described the sacred Tirumala Laddu Prasadam as having become “impure” due to the actions of previous leaders. “Not being able to detect this sin in the beginning is a stain on the Hindu race,” he commented on X, reflecting on his shock upon learning about the allegations.
Kalyan emphasized the need for those who adhere to Sanatana Dharma to seek atonement for what he termed a “terrible injustice” to Lord Balaji. He announced his decision to undergo a penance initiation before his visit to the temple, further highlighting the significance of the occasion amid the ongoing political turmoil.
