Tirupati: Former prime minister H.D. Deve Gowda, accompanied by his son and Karnataka Chief Minister H.D. Kumara Swamy and other family members. offered prayers to Lord Venkateswara on the occasion of his 86th birthday, at Tirumala on Saturday.
After the darshan, TTD EO Anil Kumar Singhal presented Prasadam and a Laminated image of the Lord to the former prime minister while the Vedic Pundits rendered Vedasirvachanam for him and his son.
Speaking to mediapersons outside the temple, Mr Deve Gowda recalled that he has been offering prayers at the Tirumala Temple on the occasion of his birthday every year on May 18 for the last 35 years.
Replying to a question, Mr Deve Gowda said that it is still unclear about who would become the next Prime Minister of the country. He also reiterated that JD(S) would extend its support to the Congress at the Centre.
Later, Karnataka CM H.D. Kumara Swamy said that he prayed to the Lord to bless with good rains which would help resolve drinking and irrigation water needs of the people and farmers of both the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. He further predicted that the Congress-JD(S) alliance in Karnataka will win 18 out of the 28 Lok Sabha seats this time.
Later, the former PM and his family members also worshipped Goddess Padmavathi Ammavaru at the Tiruchanoor Temple. TTD JEO B. Lakshmi Kantham extended a warm welcome and made darshan arrangements.
Meanwhile, the Cabinet Secretary of India Pradeep Kumar Sinha, accompanied by his spouse, also offered prayers at the temple of Lord Venkateswara in Tirumala on Saturday.
