Baba Ramdev shares stage with Narendra Modi (In Pics)

Updated: Monday, January 6, 2014, 15:11 [IST]

New Delhi, Jan 6: Yoga Guru Ramdev on Sunday announced his support for the BJP and its prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi in the next Lok Sabha elections. Ramdev shared the stage with Modi at the foundation day celebrations of his Bharat Swabhiman Trust in New Delhi's Talkatora Stadium.

"I had two options in front of me, 'Modiji', and the 'shahzada' who has not done anything for the country," Ramdev said, referring to Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi.

"I know 'Modiji' has the will to take on the corrupt Congress," he said.

Ramdev was originally a supporter of Anna Hazare's India Against Corruption campaign, which later split with Arvind Kejriwal forming the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

The yoga guru, however, refused to speak on the AAP and said he was not in favour of speaking on the third and fourth options.

Narendra Modi, on the other hand, acknowledged Ramdev's demand to eradicate tax and replace it with single tax or the 'Banking Transaction Tax'. In fact, Modi promised that he would reform the same as it is proving to be a burden for common man.

However, he maintained his stance of hitting out at the 'Shehzada' (Rahul Gandhi) during a speech he delivered at the occasion. However, even he admitted that a people's movement has started, without referring directly to the AAP.

He said,"This (general elections due by May) will be the first election since independence which will destroy all traditions. Usually polls are fought by political parties and candidates. This is the first time elections are becoming people's movement in themselves and political parties are being forced to fight it on the agenda of development."

In New Delhi

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and Yog guru Ramdev at the 5th foundation day celebrations of "Bharat Swabhiman" in New Delhi on Sunday.

In New Delhi

BJP's PM candidate and Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, BJP president Rajnath Singh and Yog guru Ramdev at the 5th foundation day celebrations of "Bharat Swabhiman" in New Delhi on Sunday.