Ramdev betrayed govt: Ghulam Nabi Azad

New Delhi, Jun 6: Attacking Baba Ramdev, Union Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today (June 6) said he "betrayed" the government by not keeping his promise to end the agitation and accused the BJP of "fishing in troubled waters" on the issue.

During an interaction with women journalists at the Indian Women's Press Corps here, he also put the onus of "timing" of the midnight crackdown on Ramdev's supporters at Ramlila ground on law enforcement authorities.

"On his (Ramdev's) part there was a betrayal," the Health Minister and senior Congress leader said, when asked if the government has made an error of judgement by releasing the agreement letter given on behalf of Ramdev, which prompted him to level allegations of cheating against senior ministers.

Azad said Ramdev had agreed to announce the time of ending his fast against black money and government had informed him of a deadline which was extended several times but he did not keep his promise.

He said the BJP, which is holding a protest in Rajghat against the police action, is trying to "fish in troubled waters". Azad also said whatever the RSS and BJP are doing is aimed at diverting attention from issues like Malegaon and Hyderabad which has created an "anti-RSS mood" in the country.

"They (BJP) have no sympathy for Ramdev. They are dancing at Rajghat... I don't know whether it is for celebration or mourning or they dancing for Ramdevji's arrest. Their heart is not there...they are just doing politics," he said.

To a question on the midnight crackdown, he said negotiation and eviction are separate issues and the latter is related to law enforcing agencies.

PTI