Ramdev joins Team Anna fast; disapproves attacks against Prez Pranab

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Yoga guru Ramdev on Friday joined Team Anna's indefinite fast on the third day of the agitation, which has so far failed to evoke popular support, even as he disapproved attacks against President Pranab Mukherjee.

Ramdev, who along with 2,000 supporters marched from Ramlila Maidan to Jantar Mantar, the venue of Team Anna's fast, joined Anna Hazare and his fasting colleagues - Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia.

Team Anna's fast, which entered the third day on Friday, has been witnessing very low-turnout and on Friday morning some people obstructed the media from covering the event with organisers blaming outsiders.

The crowd count was around 300 at 11 am when Anna Hazare took the dais along with his close aides at Jantar Mantar.

The protest site wore a deserted look with people seen only near the stage.

However, after Ramdev's appearance, about 3,000 people had collected at the venue.

Ramdev disapproved of Team Anna attacking President Pranab Mukherjee, saying it is not proper to criticise a person holding the highest Constitutional office.

Ramdev also said while he would continue to support the Anna Hazare movement he was against personal attacks on anyone.

"President is a Constitutional post. One should not criticise those who occupy Constitutional posts. Even Anna Hazare agrees with this," Ramdev told reporters at Ramlila Maidan, where he would launch his agitation against blackmoney from August 9.

Fasting Team Anna member Kejriwal, a diabetic whose health condition worsened a bit, made a brief appearance at the dais in the morning while others like Manish Sisodia and Gopal Rai sat with Hazare.

Another Team Anna member Kiran Bedi was not present. She tweeted, "today in Pune for two prior committed speaking engagements. Perhaps a bit of a break of a different kind".

As Hazare took to the stage, some people obstructed the functioning of media.

Soon, organisers announced that those indulging in such acts were not with the movement and police should take action against them.

Organisers blamed the incident on miscreants who are out to disrupt the fast.

Crowds have been keeping away from the indefinite fast raising questions as to whether the movement has lost its steam.

In signs of differences, Hazare has refused to endorse his aides' attack against President Pranab Mukherjee.

Hazare appeared not in sync with his close aides levelling allegations against Mukherjee, who was sworn in as the new President, when he congratulated him on assuming the highest constitutional office.