Lalu attacks Ramdev, calls him 'senile'

Patna: Once an admirer of Baba Ramdev, RJD chief Lalu Prasad went hammer and tongs against the Yoga Guru for attacking politicians and nurturing political ambitions and said he has gone 'senile'.

The former Bihar Chief Minister said it is not good for Ramdev, who recently announced that he would float a political party, to criticise every politician in the country.

"It is not good that Ramdev is criticising every politician in the country to prove himself good," Prasad said at a function here yesterday targeting the noted Yoga Guru.

"I have advised him against joining politics. In fact, Ramdevji bauwra gaye hai (Ramdevji has gone senile)," he said.

Ramdev had blamed politicians for some of the problems facing the country.

But Lalu's tirade against Ramdev did not go well with the BJP chief Nitin Gadkari.

Gadakri came out in defence of Ramdev and ticked off Lalu saying his language was inappropriate and that it was not warranted against such a "veteran spiritual leader".

Initially telling he would not like to comment on the issue, Gadkari later opened up saying Lalu should have "refrained from using such language against Ramdev."

"His comments on such a respected person are disappointing," he added.

At the function, Lalu said "We once saved him (Ramdev) or else he would have been beaten up."

Lalu was apparently referring to the strong support he had extended as railway minister to the Yoga Guru when the latter was attacked by CPM leader Brinda Karat who had alleged that animal bones were being mixed with the ayurvedic medicine produced by an institution established by Ramdev at Haridwar.

Lalu had stressed that even if human bones were mixed with medicines, it was justified as they proved to be effective in curing people.

He also criticised Ramdev for claiming to cure cancer.

"In this research age, it is nothing but cheating and befooling people," he said.

Lalu and Ramdev had been mutual admirers earlier. He praised the Yoga Guru for teaching him `aasans' which cured his high blood pressure and blood sugar. Ramdev had also praised Lalu for doing `hasya (laughing) aasan' frequently and keeping himself healthy.