Never Done Anything To Destabilise The Nation, Says Baba Ramdev

A combative Baba Ramdev on Saturday alleged there were attempts to threaten him and said he will not sit back if attacks are unleashed on him.

He also said he wants concrete action on the issue of black money rather than formation of any committee. Ramdev, who launched his hunger strike against corruption early on Saturday morning, reaffirmed his demand for declaring black money stashed abroad as national wealth.

"There are attempts to threaten me," Ramdev claimed, addressing supporters at Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi.

"Some people are making irresponsible remarks like Baba wants to create instability. I did not bring discord between Hindus and Muslims or on the lines of caste or region," he said in an obvious reference to Congress targeting him.

"In this fight for truth, I will not attack first but I will not sit back if I am attacked. I will reply," he said.

Congress spokesman Abhishek Singhvi had said Ramdev was being "remote-controlled" by vested political interests with BJP and RSS and their several front organisations trying to destabilise the government through the campaign.

"I am not agent of BJP or RSS...I am agent of farmers and labourers...We are not against any party or individual," the yoga guru said.

Earlier this morning, Ramdev alleged that there was some "conspiracy" to ensure that he does not go ahead with his protest but did not elaborate. on Saturday, he had warned the government against pressuring or suppressing the movement.

Ramdev maintained that neither he wants any political post nor he will fight elections. "I will not be the Prime Minister or President even if someone wants."

Amid criticism from Congress about his movement being a "five-star" one, he said: "People have spent their money for this pandal... would it have been proper if so many people are forced to sit in the sun in this heat?"

Describing Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as a "man of integrity", he said if the government approaches this issue with right intention and accepts his demands, it will get the credit for it.

"I have not come here for getting any job or reservation. I have not come here to beg. I am seeking what is the right of this country," he said adding that he will talk to the government over phone and will not "go anywhere".

Asked about Digvijay's attacks on him, he said "a politician should not have made such an irresponsible statement...let's talk on issues of corruption and system change. We will talk about Baba later."

To a question on Sadhvi Rithambara joining the agitation, Ramdev made it clear that he found nothing wrong in that.

Asked if agreeing to a joint drafting committee on Lokpal was a mistake by Anna Hazare, he said he will not raise any question on the Gandhian and he is with him.