Mumbai:
After his meeting with BJP president Nitin Gadkari, yoga icon
Baba Ramdev took his campaign against black money and corruption to a key member of the UPA coalition, Sharad Pawar. Unlike Mr Gadkari, the Agriculture Minister did not touch Baba Ramdev's feet, but a somewhat awkward hug was shared, initiated by the Baba.
"Baba Ramdev has worked for the betterment of people across the country. Now he has taken a new thing in his hands - the property in the country that has been hidden. If black money is recovered then this money will benefit all poor people. Whatever Baba Ramdev has suggested is good", said Mr Pawar, whose party the NCP partners with the Congress in Maharashtra and the Centre.
Earlier today, Digvijay Singh of the Congress targeted both
Baba Ramdev and Mr Gadkari with this scathing assessment of their meeting: "I saw Nitin Gadkari touch (Baba) Ramdev's feet. It was like two business leaders meeting." So Mr Pawar's generous endorsement of the yoga guru will no doubt create some discomfort.
The yoga icon is partnering - not entirely seamlessly - with anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare and his team of activists. They shared a rally on Sunday and will address two more public gatherings together in the next few weeks. Anna, who is from Mahararashtra, has accused Mr Pawar of corruption. And last month, Team Anna included him along with the PM and Pranab Mukherjee on a list of senior ministers who they want investigated for graft.
Baba Ramdev has said his campaign is apolitical and has asked for an appointment with Congress president Sonia Gandhi.
Last year, the government cracked down on a huge yoga-cum-protest camp held in Delhi by Baba Ramdev. At midnight, the police lathi-charged the crowd to force it to disperse. The Supreme Court later ruled that the police and the Baba were equally to blame for the chaos that ensued.
The government had turned on Baba Ramdev after they reportedly struck a private deal. He would stage a token protest at the Delhi camp if they committed to promulgating an anti-black money law.
Recently, Baba Ramdev's charitable trusts have been investigated for income tax violations and money laundering, prompting fierce criticism from senior congress ministers. His spokespersons have said the government is framing the Baba to punish him for challenging the powerful.