Ramdev leaves Delhi: Yoga Guru buckles under Govt pressure

Aug 14, 2012, 15:09PM



New Delhi: A day after Ramdev claimed to have the support of Bahujan Samaj Party, BSP supremo Mayawati on Monday reportedly made U-turn saying that Baba Ramdev's intentions are noble but the way he is going about his agitation is not right.

Yoga guru Ramdev ended his fast on the sixth day of agitation to protest against black money and declared that he will continue his agitation against Congress before the Lok Sabha elections.

He will go to Haridwar and police will escort him to Uttar Pradesh border.

Delhi Police has set 1 pm as deadline to vacate Ambedkar Stadium.

11.30 am: "I reiterate that we do not have a political agenda. Will fight to end corruption till my last breath. Will not disclose now the political party we will support during 2014 elections," Ramdev said.

Targeting Congress party the yoga guru said that Congress is the most corrupt party. "The Congress has written its name on the top of the list of corrupt. Corrupt and hoarders of black money should not be allowed in Parliament," he maintained.

11:20 am: Taking on the UPA government, Yoga Guru Ramdev said: "People have lost faith in the government. We are not going from here after losing, we have won as whole country is with us. Any movement's real strength is people of the country and they are with us and with our movement."

Addressing the gathering at Ambedkar stadium, Ramdev said PM should give a solution to solve corruption and black money problems otherwise he will also be held responsible. "PM's Independence Day speech must include response on black money," he demanded.

If we have wanted, we could have stopped the Prime Minister from hoisting the flag on Independence Day, the Yoga guru said.

"If yesterday there had been a vote on black money the government would have fallen," he added.

11.10 am: Ram Jethmalani joins Ramdev on stage. "Swami is my partner in searching for people involved in black money and corruption. Many of those in the government have black money abroad. One of them is Rahul Gandhi! Sue me if you want," he said.  

11.05 am: Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde is yet again meeting Prime Minister to discuss Ramdev's agitation.

11.00 am: The Delhi Police appealed to Ramdev's supporters to vacate Ambedkar stadium. "Buses have been arranged for you, since tomorrow is August 15, we urge you to vacate," said Additional Commissioner of Police, citing security issues ahead of Independence Day.

10.40 am: The Delhi Police has submitted a report to Ministry of Home Affairs on Baba Ramdev's agitation expressing security concerns.

10:35 am: Baba Ramdev will have to leave Ambedkar Stadium today, says Home Secretary. "There is no question of his staying on," he said.

After staying put at Ambedkar Stadium throughout the night refusing to vacate it, Ramdev told his supporters that he "is acceding to the appeal of his supporters and is calling off the fast but the movement will continue."

"I had earlier said that I will end my fast in jail. This stadium is a makeshift jail. I had said will call off my fast only after my supporters get food and water. Late in the night, they were provided with food and water," Ramdev said.

"They have appealed to me to end the fast at 11:00 AM," Ramdev said, addressing his supporters this morning.

He also said there will a big movement against Congress ahead of the next Lok Sabha elections.

Ramdev went around the Ambedkar Stadium meeting his supporters who had gathered there since last evening.

Ramdev held an early morning strategy session with his close aides to fine tune the future course of his protest.

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