Gadkari touches Ramdev's feet, seeks his blessings
"Our culture tells us that when a man wearing saffron clothes visits you, you take his blessings. I feel proud that I took Ramdev Baba's blessings. It is our culture. Those who don't follow this culture may behave differently," Gadkari said.
Gadkari presented a bouquet to Ramdev who drove to his residence for a meeting to solicit BJP's support for the campaign to bring back blackmoney stashed by Indians abroad.
The BJP president then bent down and touched Ramdev's feet and sought his blessings.
After a brief photo opportunity, the two went inside and held a meeting on the black money issue.
When
the
two
emerged
from
the
meeting,
Gadkari
was
asked
about
his
gesture.
On
earlier
occasions
also
Gadkari
has
under
public
gaze
touched
the
feet
of
senior
leaders
like
L
K
Advani
and
Sushma
Swaraj
to
take
their
blessings.
Gadkari
did
so
even
in
the
ceremony
at
the
party
headquarters
where
it
was
announced
that
he
would
be
the
next
president
of
BJP.
Today's gesture, however, sent feelers that BJP is fully supporting Ramdev in his fight against black money. Ramdev enjoys an impressive following in North India due to his yoga classes.
Several trusts run by Ramdev are under the scanner of income tax and other authorities. While the Income Tax department has slapped a notice of Rs.58 crore against Ramdev's trusts, the Service Tax authorities have issued a notice of Rs.4.94 crore to one of his trusts for alleged duty evasion on its income raised through country-wide 'yog shivirs' (yoga camps).
Ramdev has said Government was targeting him for his campaign against corruption and blackmoney.
PTI