Yogi Adityanath visits Charminar's Bhagyalakshmi temple amidst tight security

Hyderabad: Bringing an end to speculations on whether Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath would visit the Bhagyalakshmi temple in Charminar or not, Yogi visited the temple at around 7:50 am on Sunday morning. He was accompanied by BJP Telangana President Bandi Sanjay, Goshamahal MLA Raja Singh, and Rajya Sabha MP K.Laxman.

The BJP leaders took part in the aarti amidst Bharat Mata Ki Jai and Jai Shri Ram slogans.

After the visit, BJP leader Bandi Sanjay tweeted, "Honourable Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Shri Yogi Adityanath ji offered prayers to Bhagyalakshmi Ammavaru. Amid the holy chants ofBharat Mata ki Jai and Jai Shri Ram slogans, this visit is a momentous occasion for Hindus in Bhagyanagar."

Heavy security was beefed up ahead of UP CM's visit to Charminar. Charminar was closed to the public on Saturday. It only opened after 5 pm, as Yogi could not visit due to 'important engagements'. Yogi was scheduled to visit the temple on Saturday afternoon and offer prayers.

Charminar Police Station Sub-Inspector Santosh Naidu had said that security was tightened up for the security of the public on Saturday and Sunday. The police were not sure when Yogi would visit the temple.

As per sources from Hyderabad police, Yogi had been advised against visiting the temple in view of the BJP leader Nupur Sharma's controversial remarks against Prophet Muhammed.

The BJP leaders across the country are in the city to attend BJP's National Executive Meeting on 2 and 3 July at Hyderabad International Convention Centre. The two-day meeting is attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP National President JP Nadda, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Chief Ministers of 19 states and other senior BJP leaders.