Anti-superstition group challenges astrologers to predict election results for cash prize

KOLHAPUR: Anti-superstition outfit Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti (MANS), set up by slain rationalist Narendra Dabholkar, has challenged astrologers, soothsayers and fortune tellers from across India to accurately predict LS poll results and win Rs 21 lakh in cash.

MANS office-bearers said soothsayers, fortune tellers and astrologers are often sought out for their predictions on election results, which influences voters and misleads candidates, adding that they have put out the dare to spread awareness on it.

They said participating astrologers will be given a set of questions, like how many votes would the key candidates get, who would win from a particular constituency, which candidate would get the least number of votes, and which party would win the elections and by how many seats.

“The astrologers will have to also give the reasons. The challenge is not for political experts,” said Rahul Thorat, member of MANS state committee.