As the movements of celestial bodies guide politics in the state, S V Ranganath takes to studying the science
As the movements of celestial bodies guide politics in the state, S V Ranganath takes to studying the science
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Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa's fetish for astrology is a well-known fact, Chief Secretary S V Ranganath,u00a0 keen on living up to the expectations of his boss, is now learning to read the stars.
The top bureaucrat is an upright and eminent administrator and is known for his unassuming character.
He is also seen as studious with varied interests and now, he is studying astrology, ironically at a time when the CM is making news through his weakness for the predictive science and is hobnobbing with star gazers.
"To give my personal view, I am not a believer of astrology as I know one's fate cannot be changed by reading the stars. However, as a subject, there is no harm in studying and knowing about it.
But, it is purely personal and can't talk about anything other than government affairs," Ranganath said.
But, it is helping the political leaders and the Yeddyurappa is happy to be benefited from the knowledge of his learned chief secretary and the two can sometimes be seen discussing astrological issues during breaks from the hectic administrative jugglery.
How it began
"I have seen the CM discussing certain issues pertaining to astrology with Ranganath and asking questions about his future, whenever he is in relaxed mood.
But, the chief secretary would never offer astrological suggestions voluntarily," said an official in the CM's office.
Ranganath gravitated towards astrology after meeting Bhushan Rao, a famous astrologer, in 1995. Rao had predicted that then Chief Minister H D Deve Gowda would be prime minister.
After his prediction came true, Ranganath, who was education secretary, took an interest in astrology and started discussing with Rao.
u00a0
Interestingly, he started studying the subject in earnest after Yeddyurappa handpicked him to be chief secretary in 2009.
Quite accurate
"Ranganath is a brilliant officer who wants to learn anything that interests him. He is keen on astrology and is learning fast. Now, his knowledge is on par with an average astrologer," said Bhushan Rao, who is informally teaching him.
Rao said, he had predicted that Yeddyurappa would face political turbulence after September 2009 and he had discussed it with Ranganath.
After September 2009, dissidence cropped up in the ruling BJP and 54 legislators were holed up in a hotel in Hyderabad demanding Yeddyurappa's ouster. Also, Tourism Minister G Janardana Reddy, who is mining lord from
Bellary, led the political coup.
It is said that CM Yeddyurappa often discussed issues pertaining to astrology with Ranganath. He even asked questions about his future whenever he is in relaxed mood.
While the government survived, there was no relief for the CM with the series of rebel activities dogging his government since then, and each time he has turned to astrologers and sorcerers for survival.
"Ranganath's interest was further aroused with each development," Rao added.
Ranganath's guru
Bhushan Rao (73) is a self-taught astrologer close to senior politicians including S M Krishna, H D Deve Gowda, and N Dharam Singh. He claims to have predicted Krishna and Dharam Singh's succession to the post of CM and that his prophecy always comes true.
Rao got in touch with Yeddyurappa through senior RSS leader My Cha Jayadev and had advised him to have the assembly polls conducted in May 2008, while it was to be done in April that year.
"Had the polls been held in April, the BJP could not have come to power. I explained it to the BJP leaders and they prevailed upon the election commission. Gopalaswamy was the chief election commissioner and he obliged. The rest is history," said Rao.
CM's man
Senior IAS officer S V Ranganath (1975 batch) has served six chief ministers directly. He was joint secretary to Ramakrishna Hegde, secretary to M Veerappa Moily and H D Deve Gowda, principal secretary to S M Krishna, N Dharam Singh and H D Kumaraswamy. Before being appointed chief secretary, he was holding charge as a member (Finance), AEC and member (Finance) Space Commission.
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