Abdullakuty said he asked the astrologer to read chapters on birth and family and the latter gave ‘almost’ correct answers. He said he was taken aback when the astrologer asked whether he was an MP or an MLA. “After some time, the astrologer came with my horoscope and read out all details about my birth, including the star, date and time of birth etc. And he continued to say things about my past and future. I did not hear it...I was satisfied that I got a birthday. That was enough,” he completes the write-up.

“I am an ordinary human being. Hence, it is quite natural to express all feelings. I believe in God. Hence I performed the Umra,” Abdullakutty told The Indian Express. He seems to be little worried about the controversy his visit to the astrologer is likely to generate in the party. “I have visited Ajmer and many other pilgrim centres in the country and the visit to Vaitheeswaran Koil should also be seen in that perspective. It should not be seen as matter of religious belief,” he said.

Tryst with controversy

• The two-time MP from Kannur faced public censure after he spoke out against hartals. He wanted all parties, including the CPI(M), to stop organising hartals, a bane of Kerala.

• He performed the pre-Haj Umra in Mecca, generating much heat in the party circles.

• He faced allegations about running a partnership business firm without the consent of the party and was relegated to a lower committee from the district committee.

... contd.