M A I N   N E W S

Ramdev supporters boost numbers at Anna fast venue
Ananya Panda/TNS

New Delhi, July 27
The Anna-led agitation against corruption got a shot in the arm on the third day today with Baba Ramdev’s followers swarming Jantar Mantar. The yoga guru reached the site around 3:30 pm to announce his support to the Gandhian’s cause of the Lokpal Bill. A day after the venue saw thin crowds, around 4,000 to 5,000 Anna fans and members of Ramdev’s Bharat Swabhiman Trust, thronged the place holding flags and banners.

Addressing the gathering, Ramdev said: “Let’s stand in unison and ensure that black money is brought back and corruption is eradicated. This time history will be made. The Lokpal has to come.”

Ramdev will a separate agitation against the Congess-led UPA government on the issue of black money and corruption at the Ramlila Grounds from August 9.

Though he refrained from passing any comment on the poor turn-out of the people at the Anna fast venue this time, Ramdev said for the success of any mass movement, participation of nearly one per cent of the country’s population is important. A mass movement needs support of at least one crore people, he said.

“We don’t support Anna team but are here as Baba has told us so. It is only on some issues we may agree but our functioning is entirely different. Among others, they should refrain from making personal attacks,” said Sanjeev Dagar, a teacher and member of the Baba’s Trust. His colleague Mukul Kumar said: “Some people are misusing Anna’s clean image.”

Attack on MPs continues

Team Anna continued its vehement attacks against several sitting MPs on the third day on Friday with the crowds swelling at the protest venue. The crowds which started flocking to the hot-bed of protest close to Parliament Street in Delhi swayed in enthusiasm, with many hopeful that the movement will recreate history in the days to come.

One of the supporters of the fast, 71-year-old R Singh, a retired mechanical engineer and a regular in posting the updates of the anti-graft protest started by Anna since last year, said: "I'm trying to connect to the cause in my own way. What is required is an attitudinal change at personal level."

Around late noon, Ramdev's followers marched to the venue to assert their faith on Anna and the cause of corruption led by him.

Though Ramdev's presence provided the electrifying feel, there were supporters of Anna too who since morning had been holding the ground. "The crowd presence as said doesn't really matter as the man on mission is right here,” said a supporter.