March 2, 1998

Here's the leading consensus from the leading astrologers -- that Vajpayee will most likely become the next prime minister, and Sonia will help the Congress, but marginally

By V Shankar Aiyar with Ramesh Vinayak

They -- Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Sonia Gandhi -- are the stars of the show and are expected to put their parties into orbit. But what do the stars foretell? Many seem to believe that Vajpayee -- blessed with a rajyog -- has probably the best shot at prime ministership. And thanks to his stars, the BJP may just make it past the post. Some, though, are not so sure. There seems to be some consensus that Sonia will help but won't be able to get the Congress into power. The underlying message: political instability will continue through this century.

Sushil Chaturvedi, astro-adviser and columnist, Mumbai
"I HAD PREDICTED THREE YEARS AGO THAT VAJPAYEE WOULD MAKE IT."

I had predicted three years ago that Vajpayee would make it. In fact, after the last 13-day run, Atalji had said, "Main to bhootpurva PM ho gaya (I have become a former PM)." I said, you'll be an abhootpurva (peerless) PM. He has a Libra ascendant and he will prove to be an institution. It will be a combination with allies, and the BJP will rule India till 2010. As for Sonia, an eclipse caused by Jupiter-Ketu and sun-Ketu doesn't allow her to become the PM.

Gayatri Devi Vasudev, associate editor, The Astrological Magazine, Bangalore
"SONIA ENTERING THE FRAY IS AN ASTROLOGICALLY FATAL INDISCRETION."

Because the Indian Independence horoscope has Jupiter bhukti and Venus dasha, someone from the higher caste is likely to be PM. The party which represents the majority community -- under present circumstances the BJP -- will form the government with minority and Dalit groups. A full term depends on the time of the swearing-in. Sonia's decision to enter the fray is an astrologically fatal indiscretion. The Congress is terminally ill.

Chandubhai Patel, columnist and astrologer, Ahmedabad
"THE PRESIDENT WILL BE FORCED TO CALL FOR A NATIONAL GOVERNMENT."

Vajpayee will be the next PM. The highlight of his horoscope is the tula lagna where Shani is uchchka blessed with a yogakarak shashyog. This means he has few enemies and is liked by all. The party will benefit from Vajpayee's planetary configuration. The BJP and its allies will bag between 239 and 245 seats and the Congress around 140 to 145 seats. The Congress will improve its tally but will not form the government. Even the BJP won't be able to form a government. The President will be forced to call for a national government which will be headed by Vajpayee. It will last for about three-and-a-half years.

Vasudha Wagh, astrologer to top Maharashtra politicians, Mumbai
"A COMPLETELY UNKNOWN PERSON COULD BECOME THE PRIME MINISTER."

The BJP and its allies will get (200+40) 240 seats. Around 15-20 more MPs will support them. The Congress will bag 95 to 100 seats. And along with the United Front (UF) -- which will get between 150 and 160 seats -- it will be poised equally on the other side. So while the BJP has a 90 per cent chance of forming the government, there is still a big "if" on its getting outside support. Vajpayee will most likely be the next PM. But there is a possibility that a completely unknown person becomes PM. If the BJP forms the government, it will last the full term or there will be polls in 2000 and the Congress will come to power.

Vidwan Lakshmanan, astrologer to several Tamil Nadu politicians, Chennai
"TO FORM THE GOVERNMENT, BJP WILL NEED THE HELP OF MINORITY GROUPS."

Vajpayee is very well placed to be the next PM. The BJP and its allies will have to take help from minority groups to form the government. The tenure, marked by tensions and conflicts, will leave the BJP very little room to function. Following the fall of the government, there may be a national government and polls in 2000, when the Congress will come to power. Both Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi have good prospects in the next century.

Viswabhat Sastry, H.D. Deve Gowda's personal astrologer, Bangalore
"NO PARTY WILL GET A MAJORITY. IT MAY BE A UF-LED COALITION AGAIN."

H.D. Deve Gowda has a chance but I have not seen the date of birth and time of other contenders. No party will have a majority. Basically, the UF has a chance. It may be a UF-led coalition again. The possible dates of the next polls will depend on who comes to power and other details. Sonia does not have a chance.

P.Khurana, predicted the rise and fall of Chandra Shekhar, Chandigarh
"CONGRESS WILL BE ABLE TO COBBLE TOGETHER A COALITION GOVERNMENT."

The Congress has Jupiter's approach to the sun, which signifies the party will excel in wooing people post-elections. It won't be the single-largest party, but it would be able to cobble together a coalition. Although the BJP will emerge as the single-largest party, its attempts to capture power would be hampered by discord within the party and with its alliance partners. However, it may make a futile bid at forming a coalition government. This time the PM will be a Leo whose name begins with M or T. Vajpayee is an Aries man, he has no chance. The Congress-led coalition will last up to October 27, 2000. As for Sonia, her campaigning will act as a straw for the sinking Congress. The party's horoscope now has the moon's sub-period in the major period of Saturn with effect from January 15, 1998, which will continue till October 27, 2000. The Congress will lose seats in states where it is expecting an upturn due to the Sonia factor. Sonia's celestial combinations will make her a kingmaker but not a king this time.

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