Ramdev casts doubts on govt assurances to Anna

Yoga guru Ramdev on Saturday cast doubts on the government's assurances to Anna Hazare on the Lokpal issue which led to the breaking of his 12-day fast at Ramlila Maidan, saying the Gandhian had once again been cheated by those in power.

Yoga guru Ramdev on Saturday cast doubts on the government's assurances to Anna Hazare on the Lokpal issue which led to the breaking of his 12-day fast at Ramlila Maidan, saying the Gandhian had once again been cheated by those in power.

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“Tell me one thing, which demand of Anna Hazare has been accepted by the government?... Earlier he was betrayed and now too he has been betrayed,” Ramdev quipped.

“Hazare had demanded to bring prime minister, judiciary and members of parliament in the ambit of Lokpal... Hazare termed the achievement as half victory but I would say this is just the first step towards victory,” he said addressing a press conference in New Delhi to announce his second round of yatra against black money, which he will be starting from Jhansi in Uttar Pradesh from September 20.

On whether Hazare should have continued his fast, Ramdev evaded a direct reply but expressed his support for a strong Lokpal bill.

“I can not disrespect Hazare's decision (to end his fast), but whatever happened (sense of the house) is now in front of the nation. The proposal is now with the standing committee (of Parliament). I hope something good will come out of it,” he said.

“We will begin second round of our movement to bring back black money stashed in foreign banks from September 20 in Jhansi in Uttar Pradesh. The Yatra will go to all neighbouring cities and states,” the yoga guru said.

Ramdev, whose campaign against corruption and black money at the Ramlila ground had been brought to an abortive end in June this year, said he has not been issued any notice by the enforcement directorate for the foreign fundings of his trusts.