Ramdev, Hazare creating civil disorder: Congress

Shillong, Jun 15: Shaken by the campaigns launched by Anna Hazare and Baba Ramdev, an embattled Congress lashed out at the duo saying they lack the mandate of the people.

"Some self-styled people have become torchbearers of corruption and unearthing of black money. They do not have the mandate of the people," AICC leaders-in-charge of Meghalaya, Dhaniram Shandil said addressing party workers.

Attacking Yoga guru Ramdev, he accused the RSS and BJP of backing such "so-called crusaders to create civil disorder in the country".

Questioning Ramdev's fleeing from the rally during the police raid at the Ramlila Grounds in Delhi, Shandil said, "Is he a thief? Why he did not give himself to the police?"

"Such self-styled crusaders are being backed by fascist organisations like the RSS and BJP to create civil disorder after the drubbing they faced in the recent elections", he said.

AICC secretary Sanjay Bapna even questioned Ramdev for taking cash donations instead of cheque and said he "doubted the credentials of a yogi who cannot withstand a fast for even a week".

Union Minister of State Vincent Pala said these people want to tarnish the image of the UPA despite the fact that the Congress has been taking prompt steps to counter corruption and address issues plaguing the country.

Chief Minister Mukul Sangma described the movements as a "threat to the time-tested democracy of the country" and claimed that only the Congress has the resolve to take head-on issues like corruption and black money.

"They are trying to hijack this resolve of the Congress. Their approach is dangerous. They cannot dictate the Parliament," Sangma said.

The Congress leaders appealed to the party workers "to make the people realise the situation before the volcano erupts".

PTI