The fifth day of Baba Ramdev’s fast saw last minute support coming from the National Democratic Alliance.
Bharatiya Janata Party chief Nitin Gadkari, NDA convener Sharad Yadav, Janata Party leader Subramanian Swamy and representatives of the Biju Janata Dal and Akali Dal visited the venue and shared the stage with the yoga guru.
Mr. Gadkari said: “Babaji, you are not alone. I have come here to tell you and thousands of your supporters that every member of the NDA is with you. We will actively support your agitation against corruption and black money. We forced suspension of question hour in both Houses of Parliament. We want the government to bring back black money.”
Ramdev’s agitation should not be seen from a political lens. The BJP did not expect any political support from his campaign, he said.
“Why is the government hiding names of the people whose money is stashed away in foreign banks? We are a rich nation with a poor population due to the wrong economic policies and lots of scams involving senior Cabinet Ministers. Wrong economic policies and a corrupt administration have led the country to such a mess.”
Mr. Gadkari hit out at the UPA government, accusing the Congress of presiding over a corrupt government. “After the general elections, the people who are now roaming in the Central Hall [of Parliament] will be in Tihar jail.”
Mr. Yadav said there was need to make the CBI independent as the government was misusing it to harass “innocent people and leaders of political parties.” He attacked the government for its “anti-farmer” and “anti-traders” policies, including foreign direct investment.
