Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Monday made an official announcement for the first time that he would invite Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu for "Aayutha Chandi Maha Yaagam", being performed by him from December 23 to 27 at his farm house on Hyderabad city outskirts in Erravelli in Medak district.
"I will invite Chandrababu for yagam. I have already invited President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi," KCR said while addressing a press conference in Telangana Bhavan to celebrate the victory of TRS in Warangal bypoll.
KCR's announcement is being viewed as a 'thanks giving gesture' in return for Naidu inviting him for Amaravati foundation stone programme on Dasara in October.
Dismissing criticism of spending hundreds of crores of rupees of public money on yaagam, KCR said, "Every paise being spent on this yagam belongs to me and some donors who came forward to fund it out of devotion for God. It's not easy to do a Chandi Yagam alone. It requires great organisational skills. Some 4,500 purohits and 1,500 rishis are required to perform this yagam."
KCR reiterated that the yagam was meant for the well-being of entire universe, humanity and for the people of Telangana.
"Performing yagams is not new for me. Even during Telangana statehood agitation, I performed some yagams. I believe in God. It's my belief. Where the need for anyone to question this and make it an issue out of it?" KCR asked.
