India, March 29 -- A senior Maharashtra political leader keeps his fists clenched while delivering speeches, on the advice of a guru. Another top politician is said to conduct rituals on full-moon or new-moon days, and even skips official programmes on these inauspicious days, also on the advice of a guru.

A few years ago, the chief minister of a neighbouring state quietly travelled to Western Maharashtra to perform a certain ritual there, when he believed his political position was in jeopardy. To maintain secrecy, he altered his security cover, saying this was a personal visit.

Are politicians more superstitious or spiritual than most? Or is their allegiance to self-styled godmen just another move in the political playbook - a ritual ...