New Delhi:
Lending support to Baba Ramdev's agitation against black money and corruption, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Nitin Gadkari on Monday said his party does not expect political backing from the yoga guru and will actively support his protest.
Speaking at Ramlila Maidan, where Ramdev's fast continued for the fifth day, Gadkari said, "Every August 15 we celebrate Independence Day, but we will get true independence when problems like corruption and rising prices are rooted out from society."
"Ramdev's agitation should not be seen from political lenses and BJP doesn't expect any political support from Ramdev. We will actively support Ramdev's agitation against corruption and black money," he said.
Gadkari said the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on Monday raised the issue of black money in parliament.
"We forced the suspension of question hour in both houses of parliament. We want the government to bring back black money," he said.
Attacking the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government, the BJP president said wrong economic policies of the government have been hampering the country's growth and development.
"Ramdev is fighting for a corruption-free India and has no political intentions. The black money stashed in banks abroad should be brought back and spent on farmers and the poor," he said.
Questioning the government's intention to bring back black money, Gadkari said: "Why is the government hiding names of people whose money is stashed in foreign banks? We are a rich nation with poor population due to wrong economic policies and lot of scams involving senior cabinet ministers."
"After the general elections, the people now roaming in the Central Hall (of parliament) will live in Tihar Jail and it should be made air-conditioned," he quipped.
Gadkari said the government is misusing the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to harass innocent people and leaders of political parties.