The yoga guru seeks Naidu's support for his anti-corruption movement.
Yoga guru Baba Ramdev, on Monday, called upon Telugu Desam Party president N Chandrababu Naidu, and sought his support for his anti-corruption movement, and for his efforts to bring back to India black money stashed abroad.
Talking to media persons at NTR Trust Bhavan after meeting Naidu, Baba Ramdev said that his fight was against corruption and black money, and not against political parties or individuals.
"We want all the parties, including the Congress, to be united in this fight. We are not against any particular political group. Our campaign will continue until black money is brought back to the country and a strong Lokpal Bill is passed," said Baba Ramdev.
Baba Ramdev said that Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh was under tremendous pressure, and that he had even forgotten how to smile.
Replying to a query, he said that the Prime Minister was personally honest, but that he must display his "political and constitutional honesty".
He said that he would intensify his fight against rampant corruption and black money across the country from 9 August, and that he would seek the support of all parties, including the ruling Congress, and industrialists.
The yoga guru termed the government's White Paper on black money as a "paper of lies".
He said that gold accounts for highest amount of black money. He also stated that large amounts of black money have even been invested in sectors like real estate and mining.
Baba Ramdev said that he was forced to launch the agitation because those in power were not coming forward to discuss the ways and means to tackle corruption and black money.
"I wrote a letter to Sonia Gandhiji, and spoke to her secretary Madhavan, more than 5 times. He always promises to get back after talking to her, but it never happened. The same is the case with Rahul Gandhi," he said.
If all the black money, within the country and abroad, is brought back, then India would emerge as an economic super power in the world, he said.
Reacting to allegations that he was an agent of the United States Of America, he retorted, "I have no funds from abroad, nor any economic support. I received no awards from any foreign country."
He maintained that he was not worried about the allegations against him, as he had a clean background.
"For 20 years, I have been into service, and there was not a single allegation. It all started only after 4 June 2011, when I launched the movement against black money. Government agencies have issued 60 notices so far, and it will soon touch the century mark. But they have failed to prove even a single charge against me," he said.
Speaking on the occasion, Chandrababu Naidu pledged his support to Baba Ramdev and Anna Hazare, in the fight against corruption. He assured Baba Ramdev that the TDP would organise campaigns across Andhra Pradesh.
"Ultimately, he is fighting for a noble cause. Everyone must extend their support. He isn't asking for a favour," said Naidu.
This was the second meeting between Naidu and Baba Ramdev in recent months, over the issue of corruption and black money. (INN)