Ramdev launching party evokes cold response from political opponents

Politics is a different cup of tea, many Babas and Godmen had learnt the hard way. But that has not deterred Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev from announcing his plans to launch a political party which would contest all the 543 seats in Lok Sabha in next election.

Politics is a different cup of tea, many Babas and Godmen had learnt the hard way.

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But that has not deterred Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev from announcing his plans to launch a political party which would contest all the 543 seats in Lok Sabha in next election.

Parties across the spectrum have not reacted with any enthusiasm to Baba Ramdev's plan.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati frowned upon Ramdev's plans to turn electoral by asking the BSP workers not to fall in the trap of "such babas".

BJP says that in a democratic country, everyone is free to form any political party. But party spokesperson Prakash Javdekar said the Baba should realise that he is revered by one and all for his dedication to yoga and proponent of the cause of India. "But once he establishes a political party, there will be some pro and some against," he said.

Congress spokesman Abhishek Singhvi feels what was important was not the declaration of the intent but the "actual demonstration of concrete public service achievement which remains to be seen in this case."

Equally not too optimistic about the future of the Ramdev's proposed venture was D P Tripathi of the NCP who said that people have always "taken care" of the Babas.

"You remain where you are. The moment you try to change domain which is not yours, people reject you. People of India are much wiser than we expect them to be," is the message of Tripathi to all the Babas nursing political ambitions.

Right from the first Lok Sabha elections, there were attempts and moves by those religiously inclined to enter the political arena.

The Ram Rajya Parishad led by Karpatri Maharaj was active in the first Lok Sabha polls and had even won three seats, equal to the erstwhile Bharatiya Jan Sangh, the earlier avatar of BJP.

Maharaj had a large following in North India, especially Uttar Pradesh and his party had received 1.97 per cent votes in the first general elections in which in had put up 61 candidates.

The subsequent elections saw Ram Rajya Parishad influence waning.