I won't be PM but will make one, says Baba Ramdev

The Pioneer, March 9, 2011

BISWAJIT PADHI | Nuapada

As yoga guru Baba Ramdev continued his campaign for a disease-free India, a 10,000-strong crowd at the Raja AT High School grounds at Khariar lapped every bit of his advice.

Starting his campaign from western Odisha under the Bharat Swabhiman Yatra, he used the three-hour Yoga Sibir to further his drive to propagate yoga as a medium for preventing diseases. He used the platform to vent his displeasure with corrupt people, both in Government and private arenas and advised these persons to shun greed by practising yoga.

Later, speaking to mediapersons at the venue, Swami Ramdev said his campaign was aimed at a disease-free country and development of the poor. He termed his insistence on the Government to bring back black money as a voice of a common man. "I am just raising voice as a common citizen, which is my democratic right," he added.

Replying to questions, he claimed that a majority share of his cash donations comes from lower and middle classes and whenever his Bharat Swabhiman Trust receives any big amount, it has to be in the shape of a draft or a cheque, which proves that it is accounted money of the donor. As a principle, the trust doesn't receive donations from wine and tobacco merchants, he said.

Speaking to this correspondent exclusively, Swamiji said, "Ramdev Baba will not himself become Prime Minister but will make the Prime Minister in near future." He has taken a political stand that can save the country from the present corrupt regime. Withdrawing all big denomination currency notes from circulation can remove black money to a great extent. Changing all systems like education which have a British legacy would be his other political priority, he added.

Already covering 50,000 kilometres on road, Baba Ramdev announced that he would be travelling more than 2 lakh km across the country under the Bharat Swabhiman Yatra to raise public awareness about black money and create pressure on the Government to bring back black money stashed away in Swiss banks.