Pratibha Patil speaks to a ghost

IN HIGH 'SPIRIT': Pratibha claims she got a 'divine premonition' of greater responsibility.

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Jaipur: UPA’s presidential candidate Pratibha Patil seems to have an uncanny knack of courting controversy when she speaks at public gatherings in Rajasthan.

If a fortnight ago, the former Rajasthan Governor had at a function in Udaipur said, “We had the concept of 'purdah' to protect women from Mughal invaders. So, they stayed indoors and were veiled.”

Then now, in a truly cosmic conundrum, on the day her name was announced as UPA’s presidential candidate she was at Mount Abu, at an ashram when she was still governor of Rajasthan. She said she communicated with the spirit of the godman of the ashram, who died 38 years ago.

“Baba entered Hriday Mohini Devi's (the godman’s deciple) body and had a conversation with me,” a visibly moved Pratibha said.

So, the UPA presidential candidate at a celebration in the Ashram in Mount Abu claimed to communicate with Baba Lekhraj, who founded Brahma Kumari sect.

In fact, the godman’s followers believe Pratibha has become a candidate precisely because of the late godman.

“Pratibha Patil sought didi's blessings and got the news that she's been nominated for the post of President,” said a devotee of the godman, Wing Commander Ashok Gaba.

In the past, our politicians have not been averse to divine assistance in their careers.

Policymakers have swarmed to the Sai Baba temple in Shirdi and APJ Abdul Kalam also visited the Brahma Kumaris before he took up position at Raisina Hill. But communicating with the dead is an unlikely talent perhaps for the future defender of India's Constitution.