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Modi or Gandhi? Indian mystics split over poll outcome
Transgender mystic Zoya Lobo turns over three oracle cards, studies them for a minute and looks up. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will definitely win India's general election this summer, she proclaims.
Clairvoyant Larra Shah also predicts a victory for Modi owing to his “extremely powerful aura”, but astrologer Raj Kumar Sharma thinks opposition leader Rahul Gandhi will win because his party's moon sign is Virgo.
Vedic astrology is big business in Hindu-majority India and stargazers are making a host of predictions for the world's biggest elections starting next month — their many followers hanging on every utterance.
Some 900 million voters are registered to cast ballots in the vote in April and May which will see Gandhi's Congress party seek to dislodge Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from power.
Shah, 49, a celebrity holistic healer who practises tarot reading, says most of them will plump for Modi, himself a devout Hindu.
“When it comes to tarot cards Modi is like the emperor or the magician where the power of self-knowledge, of spiritual balance, of karma, is in perfection,” she explains to AFP.
“Rahul Gandhi is more like the devil because he's always confused. There is a conflict there because he is a Gemini so has a dual personality,” Shah adds.
Modi, 68, and the right-wing Hindu nationalist BJP swept to power five years ago by winning 282 out of 543 seats, forming the country's first majority government in almost three decades.
Shah expects Modi to be returned, but with a vastly reduced majority.
Pre-election polling suggests an even closer contest, with many forecasting that neither party will win the 272 seats needed for a majority.
Lobo also has a prediction that hits closer to home for her — a 35 percent chance that Modi will do something to help India's two-million-strong transgender community.
Planets aligned
Indians consult soothsayers for advice on a raft of subjects from whom to marry to whether to buy a house or strike a business deal.
Many businessmen, Bollywood actors and politicians have personal astrologers scrutinise their stars closely to determine auspicious days to hold functions, release a movie or make political announcements.
For the election, Sharma says the planets are aligning in favour of Congress — based on the birth dates of the parties and their leaders — and that it will be able to persuade smaller, regional parties to join them in a coalition.
“Congress's moon sign is Virgo and at present a favourable Jupiter Mahadasha (period) is happening for them while the BJP's moon sign is Scorpio,” he explains.
“Rahul Gandhi's favourable period has started and his moon is more powerful than Narendra Modi's moon so my prediction is very clear: Rahul Gandhi will either become the prime minister or will make the prime minister with the support of his party.”
He sees the elections being “extremely volatile” because they were declared at an inauspicious time — when the sun was setting instead of rising — and that they may witness more violence between India and Pakistan.
Comments (36) Closed
Is brand name Gandhi is enough ?
what is this
Why doubt?? Its Modi.. again!!
Rahul is just a beginner and Modi is a master in politics. No way Rahul can be compared with Modi.
MainBhiChowkidar has more than 10 times more shares than #ChowkidarChorHain. That should give a clear picture about not only who is winning, but also by how much margin.
Ghar ghar MODI. No doubt Modi ji again!
I can tell you one thing for sure .
Many people are not satisfied with the way of Modi.
But they are scared of a stupid person like Rahul becoming P.M. of India .
So Modiji is the only option available .
@Salaria, you hit the nail
Fake Gandhi
After two fake surgical strikes and losing 2 migs in the process, 1 billion people would be real fools to bring back the tea seller.
No comparison between fake Gandhi and self-made politician. Outcome is so obvious.
Modi must go...this tea seller is selling India to Ambanis and Adani.
@ga,
That's what you believe, based on your government. We believe that strikes did take place. And FYI Modi will be back.
Confusion for Pakistanis, no confusion for Indians. Don't fall flat on result day.
@ashok, could be bots.
@ga, I don't understand the logic behind picking on someone because they are, or used to be a tea seller or do a similar job. At the end of the day it is a job, and these people work very hard to earn a minimum wage. Our society needs to be more inclusive and not attach stigma to people who do these sort of jobs to earn an honest living.
@ga, you can cry all you want...but can't do anything about it. Modi is going to win again.
I think you mean Pakistanis are confused , rather hopeful of Gandhi to win. Indians are very clear Modi will be our next PM again . Gandhi does not stand a chance.
Rahul doesn't have the mono.....Modi will retain power....he is hard working, honest, and decisive.....
Sidhu saab should of stood for Prime Minister, IK and NS would bring peace and harmony to the two countries.
@ashok,
Will that turn into votes?
@Arjun Singh, Let's see.
Modi... No doubt
Modi vs fake name R. Gandhi and his most corrupt congress party.
ordinay hardworking indians can very easily relate themselves to self made Mr modi as compared to corrupt elitist congress leaders. hence modi is going to win near and above simple majority.
Voted for Modi but Don't like his policies anymore. People like me really don't have choices. One side is Modi with his fake propaganda while another side is Corrupt communal Congress. By heavy heart we will vote for BJP. Unfortunate but truth
Ironically, Modi has done so much for patriots and nothing for traitors. So this election has become a fight between these two. Now we have to see India has more patriots or more traitors, which astrology has nothing to do.
@Arjun Singh, "I think you mean Pakistanis are confused , rather hopeful of Gandhi to win. Indians are very clear Modi will be our next PM again . Gandhi does not stand a chance."
Worst of our conflicts have happened with India during the times of Congress. Any party which takes over in India, we Pakistanis will equally be watchful. We do not care if Indians go down the path of radicalization and chose RSS again or pick another choice. Good luck!
@ashok, Fake shares just like the fake 80% twitter accounts. Misleading the gullible public
@Byju, Then you must be the only one as even the international media debunked that story of India as fictitious strike. But they confirmed, 6 trees dead and a crow. RIP . Just dont make afool of yourselves anymore, its embarrasing.
@What?, Modi is a loser and losers lose.
No comparision with Modi. He is the best. He will be our PM again.. Inshallah..
@ga, did you wonder why the reporters are not allowed to Balakot ?
If you observe position of minorities specially muslims in India has improved a lot during Modi rule, now everyone is trying to join main stream in India, they are interested for education. We have not seen any communal problems anywhere in India. I feel Modi is going to win with good majority, it is better even for Pakistan as a peaceful party will focus on development.
@Salaria, this is a true fact
Only Modi... Rahul cannot speak sense for 15 min, Hear him to find the truth.