Fate shines on fortune tellers during elections

"I have advised a few to change their signature, while I have told others to wear their lucky colours at the time of campaigning and especially at the time of voting. I also caution them against wearing black."

Another astrologer Amit Kapil said, "This is certainly a busy time for us, as politicians are keen to know what anushthan (ceremony) they should perform to ensure victory."

Though Kapil refuses to name the candidates who have visited him, he cited an amusing incident wherein one of his clients got very angry when he saw his rival also consulting Kapil. "He literally shouted at me not to advise the rival candidate," recalled Kapil.

So is business booming in election time? Kapil says it has shot up considerably though he is not able to quantify it in terms of percentage. However, Shweta feels the rise is only marginal because the economic downturn has had a negative impact.

When MiD DAY asked MNS candidate Ranjeet Shirole whether he had visited any astrologers because of the elections, he said, "I have faith in myself and my voters, not in fortune tellers."

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