Four ministers woo Ramdev, but he won't call off fast

Four ministers woo Ramdev, but he won't call off fast


New Delhi, June 01, 2011




The Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal and two other ministers met Baba Ramdev at the Delhi airport on Wednesday in a bid to persuade the yoga guru to call off his proposed fast from June 4 against corruption and black money stashed abroad, activists in
the movement said.

Besides P. Mukherjee and Kapil Sibal, Parliamentary Affairs Minister P.K. Bansal and Tourism Minister Subodh Kant Sahay also met Ramdev, the activists added. Discussions with Baba will continue, said Sibal after the meeting.

Baba Ramdev raised serious issues impacting the country and the government will seriously consider then, he said.

The yoga guru, however, said his indefinite fast against corruption will continue and "one crore" people will join him.

Top officials, including Cabinet Secretary Mr. K.M. Chandresekhar, were also part of the government team.

The initial plan was for Mr. Mukherjee to meet Baba Ramdev at the former's North Block office. However, he rushed to the airport to meet Baba, who arrived around noon.

Activists in the Ramdev movement said there was "no plan as of now" to drop the fast to be staged at the spacious Ramlila grounds in the national capital. Ramdev will conduct his fast at Jantar Mantar in the heart of the capital.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had sent a letter to Baba Ramdev Tuesday evening, urging him to call of the fast.

Baba Ramdev announced the fast demanding urgent government action to recover the black money stashed away in foreign banks.

Meanwhile, hectic preparations - including the erection of a huge tent to accommodate 20,000 people - were in progress at the Ramlila grounds for Saturday's fast.



Vagish Issar (Ivsk) 09810068474

(sarve bhavantu sukhinah, sarve santu niramaya;
sarve bhadrani pashyantu, ma kashchit dukkh bhagbhavet}