Astrologers, surveyors make a kill
VIJAYAWADA: As elections approach, astrologers and gemologists have become hot favourites for many politicos, who are trying to win not just the hearts of voters but also the favour of stars.
'Many come to us for fixing 'muhurthams' for filing nominations or starting poll campaigns,' said Vishnubhatla Sivaprasad Sharma, astrologer and Sthanacharya at Kanakadurga temple on Indrakeeladri here.
'During elections, politicians feel insecure due to the high stakes in elections. So, they approach astrologers to know their prospects and seek remedies if there is anything bad indicated,' said SV Nagnath, astro psychologist.
Whether wearing gems really influences the poll outcome or not, many politicos seek the help of gemologists. 'I have been a gemologist for over a decade. Many politicians come to me for gems as per their jataka, particularly during elections,' says MM Raza, a Hyderabad-based gemologist, who counts people like Karnataka former CM Kumaraswamy and BJP campaign committee chief D Purandeswari among his clients.
'Whether astrology works or not, many politicians find solace in it. In situations like elections, where everything is uncertain, they feel assured by visiting an astrologer. Astrology is just a prediction of future and if predicted properly can show the way to reduce the ill effects if any,' sums up Nagnath.
Poll Surveys
Besides astrologers, some politicians also depend on psephologists and poll surveys to gauge the mood of the voters in their constituencies and get an idea of their winning chances.
'The importance of psephologists increased much more this time, with political equations changing rapidly. Now, a greater accuracy in poll predictions has become a necessity. In the last four months, I have done surveys for more than hundred politicians in Assembly and Lok Sabha constituencies all over Andhra Pradesh. Even now five surveys are on to gauge the last moment mood before filing nominations,' said K Srinivasa Reddy, a senior psephologist.
'These surveys are not like astrological predictions, but are made with proper statistical methods. The results of surveys will help candidates modify and strengthen their poll strategies,' he said.
He has recently done surveys for people like D Sridhar Babu, DK Aruna, V Balashourie, Komatireddy Venkat Reddy and G Chinna Reddy, among others, to gauge their chances in this general elections.
News Posted: 9 April, 2014
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