Crises are always a harvesting season for astrologers. If there is a political stalemate, then politicians will make a beeline to bow before them. That is what is happening in Karnataka, where the two alliance partners are at logger heads over the power-sharing agreement.

In fact, both Chief Minister Kumaraswamy and former deputy chief minister B S Yediyurappa have been consulting astrologers ever since they cobbled up the coalition government.

While Kumaraswamy consults renowned astrologer Ramesh Bairi, Yediyurappa consults reputed Daivajna K N Somayaji. Interestingly, both astrologers have predicted a mid-term poll in Karnataka. Bairi said nothing would come out of the proposed talks in New Delhi. He also said there was no chance of any reconciliation between both the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Janata Dal (S).

Bairi said Kumaraswamy could continue as a caretaker chief minister for sometime before polls were declared. He also said it could be difficult for Kumaraswamy to continue as the Chief Minister, even if the Congress extended support.

Saying that an alliance with the Congress is ruled out, Somayaji said Yediyurappa would not take over as the chief minister.

Somayaji went one step ahead and said the elections to both the Lok Sabha and Assembly  would take place at the same time. He even set March as the possible time for next polls. Other astrologers also said the state would face polls in early 2008.

Narayana Swamy, an astrologer from Udupi, said Kumaraswamy would come back as chief minister after the elections.