Predict right, win Rs 1 lakh jackpot

In dakshina Kannada, a ritualised duel between astrologers and rationalists provide the much needed comic relief in an otherwise monotonous run up to the elections. Since 1980s, barring the 1999 elections, rationalist Narendra Nayak has been announcing a reward of Rs 1 lakh to any astrologer, who will answer at least 19 of the 20 questions posed by him. As all answers were never anywhere near the mark, Nayak got to keep his money at the end of each election. 8216;8216;In 1999, I got sick of the hilarious predictions and preferred not to solicit any more,8217;8217; says Nayak. He has changed his mind and is planning to challenge astrologers with his posers.

In 1980s, when politicians began queuing up to seek advice of astrologers at each step, Nayak felt the need to examine the veracity behind election predictions. The contest was born out of the firm conviction that astrologers are taking everyone for a ride.

In the very first contest, over 50 astrologers responded. Those who scored more than four out of 20 marks, in fact happened to be non-astrologers, says Nayak. In the 1998 elections, many astrologers succeeded in answering one question correctly, that Vajpayee will be the next Prime Minister. None could predict Rajiv Gandhi8217;s assassination or the September 11 attack.