LS Speaker sticks to his promise to Lord Ayyappa

SABARIMALA, Nov 24: Lok Sabha Speaker G M C Balayogi fulfilled his vow to Lord Ayappa through his visit to the Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa templ...

SABARIMALA, Nov 24: Lok Sabha Speaker G M C Balayogi fulfilled his vow to Lord Ayappa through his visit to the Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa temple yesterday.

Talking to The Indian Express at the Travancore Devaswom Board Guest House last night, the Speaker said that he had vowed to offer prayers at the Temple if he won the last election.

Balayogi won from the Amalapuram constituency in Andhra Pradesh defeating the Congress candidate K S R Moorthy with a margin of 15,000 votes.

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“I was forced to put off my visit last season owing to the swift political developments at the Centre. I am deeply moved by the solemn atmosphere of this unique shrine and I will visit the Temple in every season,” he said.

On the development of Sabarimala, Balayogi said that he would talk to the Union Environment Minister and seek the possibilities for sanctioning the required forest land for the Travancore Devaswom Board. “I would also try to convince the Information and Broadcasting Ministry of the need for telecastingthe Makaravilakku festival, live on the national channel,” said Balayogi.

The Speaker was accompanied by his private secretary Ramesh and BJP State Co-ordinator K K R Kumar.

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