Ramdev Slams Government's 'Betrayal', Fast to Continue
New Delhi, Jun 4 (IANS): Baba Ramdev Saturday accused the government of betrayal, after a minister revealed a letter claiming an agreement with the yoga guru to call off his agitation Saturday afternoon, and said he would continue his fast until an ordinance embodying his demands was issued.
Ramdev also said that he will never hold any more talks with union minister Kapil Sibal in future, blaming him of betrayal.
The yoga guru, who is fasting in Ramlila ground in the national capital, first announced he would call off his fast on a written assurance from the government accepting his demands that black money would be declared as national asset and stashing of illegal money abroad deemed as sedition.
However, after Sibal, who was holding a press conference, displayed the letter stating Ramdev will end his fast by Saturday afternoon, an irked Ramdev termed it betrayal and said he will call off his fast only after an ordinance.
"Government has agreed to all our demands... The agreement has been on phone as of now and when it is provided to me in writing, I will call off the fast immediately," Ramdev had told supporters at the Ramlila ground Saturday amidst cheers before the letter was publicised.
But after the letter was released, Ramdev dug in.
"The government has betrayed us. The letter was signed saying that it will be given to the prime minister to assure him that it is not black-mailing. He (Sibal) said all demands will be met in two days," Ramdev clarified.
Ramdev also urged his supporters to remain at the Ramlila ground even if he is arrested.
Clarifying that he is not communal, Ramdev said that he was not an agent of any political party.
"I was pained to hear that people called me agent of the RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh) and the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party). Baba is not an agent of any political party or organisation. I am agent of the farmers and labourers, and the poor," he said.
He also said that he did not intend to contest an election ever.
"I want to tell all of you that I will never contest elections in my life. Even if given a chance, I will never become prime minister," he said.