Mulayam extends support to Ramdev on black money issue

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Underplaying attacks by Team Anna, SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav on Friday extended support to yoga guru Ramdev in his campaign on the issue of black money, saying till it is brought back, the poor won't benefit.

Ramdev met Yadav at his residence here for over an hour to seek his support on bringing back Indian blackmoney stashed away abroad.

"Ramdev is fighting against black money. It has my full support. We had been against black money and will continue to do so," Yadav said after the meeting.

Interestingly, BJP veteran Jaswant Singh also reached Yadav's 16, Ashoka Road residence when Ramdev was meeting the former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister.

He left Yadav's residence after 10 minutes. In reply to a poser on Team Anna member Arvind Kejriwal dubbing Yadav, along with other politicians, as 'corrupt', he said, "I don't give importance to such people, nor do I take notice (of their statements)."

"Socialists have fought against black money from the time of JP (Jai Prakash Narayan) and (Ram Manohar) Lohia had been against black money. You should read the literature," Yadav said.

Ramdev also sought to support Yadav by saying that "the talk (on black money) should be on issues, not people."

During the June 2 day-long joint fast of Ramdev and Anna Hazare here, differences had erupted after Kejriwal named politicians. Ramdev said the protocol decided was that no one would be named. Yadav said Ramdev's 'struggle' will be 'successful'.

"Till the time black money is not brought back, the poor won't benefit. It also leads to corruption. The war had weakened. But I am happy that Ramdev has relaunched it," Yadav said.