CEC-designate wants to master the art of prediction

NEW DELHI: The man, who will soon head the Election Commission, is pouring over astrology books along with a class full of students, learning the art of prediction.

For 62-year-old Gopalaswami, who takes over as chief election commissioner on June 30, astrology is a passion he pursues ardently. “My father knew it. Though those days, there were no professional courses to learn astrology, he knew it too well. I also wanted to learn it,” Mr Gopalaswami said here.

Like the eight other students in his class, Mr Gopalaswami attends every weekend lecture for the two-year course by the Astrology Society of India, unmindful of his present status.

The 1966 Gujarat cadre IAS officer has already cleared 10 papers in the last two semisters and has to appear for exams in three papers starting from June 15. Is he worried over his examination results? “The final semester exams are the toughest as they are totally based on interpretation unlike the papers which laid more emphasis on theory,” he said.

“I didn’t do very well in my first semester but was one among the toppers in the second semester. So, let’s see what happens. I am studying very hard,” said the gold medal-winning chemistry postgraduate.

Mr Gopalaswami will take over the post of CEC from Mr B B Tandon, who is retiring on June 29. Known for his humility, Mr Gopalaswami is a diploma-holder in urban development planning from Bartlett School of Architecture and Planning, University of London.
He said he had enrolled in the astrology stream in 1996 but due to “circumstances” could not pursue the course. “It is only after joining the Election Commission that I started the course.”

Did he predict his becoming the chief election commissioner? “No” was the answer from an unassuming Gopalaswami.