Hyderabad, Jul 26: Yoga guru Baba Ramdev today said he was not aspiring for any political power but was only seeking “political purity” to lead the country on the path of “value-based development.”
“I have no ambition for political power. My mission is political purity. This is my first and final declaration,” he told reporters here after enlisting the support of TDP for his “fight against corruption and black money.”
Ramdev said his vision was to see a “healthy and wealthy India” by rooting out corruption and ensuring “value-based development.”
He, however, maintained that only the political parties could bring about the required change in the system. At the same time, he also stressed on the need for a ‘raajneetik vikalp' (political alternative) to make India a powerful country in the world.
The yoga guru said he was not against any political party as such nor did he consider anyone as ‘untouchable'.
“Congress party mein bhi achche log hain...har party mein hain (There are good people in Congress too. There are good people in all parties). But what the UPA government did on June 4 at Ramlila grounds (forcibly breaking his fast) was bad.
“In a fight, there will be troubles but I am not deterred by them. My fight against corruption and black money will continue despite the obstacles,” he said.
Ramdev said he would tour India from August to drum up people's support for his fight.
“We have to fully change the corrupt system and black money is not a small issue. Ills plaguing the country like poverty, illiteracy and under development are only due to corruption and black money,” he added.
Asked about the Central Bureau of Investigation's probe into his activities, Baba quipped: “The Central government has set CBI and ED on me for the past six months but so far they could not prove anything.”
“Kabhi kabhi CBI achcha kaam karta hai (Sometimes, the CBI does good work),” he remarked.
On CBI's allegation's that his close aide Balkrishna possessed a fake graduation certificate, the yoga guru said it was a false claim.
TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu, who was present with Ramdev, strongly condemned the Central government and the CBI's attitude towards the yoga guru.
“They are trying to victimise anyone who is fighting corruption and black money. But we all will stand with Baba and carry the fight forward,” he said.
Naidu said financial, political and administrative reforms were needed, apart from rooting out corruption, to build a value-based society.
“The TDP, along with like-minded forces, will extend full support to the Baba and his efforts,” he said. PTI
