BHILWARA: As assembly elections are round the corner in several states, scores of political contenders belonging to various political parties are flocking to a small village called Kario, about 20 kilometres from Bhilwara, to seek future advice from well-known astrologer Nathulal Vyas.
Interestingly, due to a large number of people practicing astrology as a profession in the area, Karoi is known as 'Jyotish Nagri' of the country.
Vyas, who hails from Karoi village, is an expert in Bhrigu Sahita, a Sanskrit astrological (Jyotisha) treatise.
Political leaders, especially from Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, who are seeking party tickets for the upcoming polls and are curious to know what lies in fate for them are paying regular visits to the elderly astrologer.
The 95-year-old astrologer shot to fame after former president Pratibha Patil, along with her husband Dev Singh Patel, flew down to consult him. Vyas had predicted that she will hold the highest office of the country. Later, after being elevated as the President, Pratibha Patil invited him to attend the oath ceremony.
Present Textiles Minister Smriti Irani, Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh and late Reliance Industries Chairman Dhirubhai Ambani are among the well-known people to have sought advice from the astrologer.
Elections to the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly will be held on November 28 to elect representatives of 230 constituencies. The poll is touted to be a direct political battle between the ruling Bhartiya Janta Party and the Indian National Congress.
In Rajasthan, the elections are slated to be held on December 7 for 200 seats in a single phase. In the last elections in 2013, BJP had won a majority and Vasundhara Raje was appointed as the Chief Minister.
The high stakes political battle will conclude on December 11, with the counting of votes for both the states.