In an intriguing role reversal, the yoga guru Swami Ramdev who remained voluble throughout the high- octane electioneering ahead of the 2014 general election has chosen silence in the heated run-up to the election in five states, including Uttarakhand where he is presently based. He is instead focused on expanding his business network, intent on opening mega stores across the country.
Quizzed by the media on his views on the polls being held in five states, he said on the sidelines of the inauguration of the first mega store of Patanjali in the district at Chandracharya Chowk on Friday, “I have chosen to steer clear of the electoral hubbub this time. I am neither in favour nor against any party”
When pressed to explain his silence when the political parties are involved in high-stake election, deemed as a referendum on the performance of the Narendra Modi government during the half of Modi’s tenure at the helm of the Centre, he said, “My aim is just to promote yoga, spirituality and Swadeshi. I love to be away from the din of electioneering. I stepped in the political realm when the country was passing through an atmosphere of instability. Now, things are different, as the nation is on the cusp of rejuvenation. My mission is accomplished.”
On the issue of Pakistan allegedly instigating instability in India, Ramdev said, “India must work on a two-pronged strategy to take on the neighbour. We must strive to deepen the bond of friendship with the people of Pakistan on one hand and deal stringently with the government of Pakistan remaining hostile to India, on the other.”
He also said that with the advent of the Trump government in USA, the politics of the whole world are on way to being transformed. “Countries like China which are communist and socialist may turn into capitalist ones in future. Besides, consumerism will get a fillip with Trump being at the helm of US government,” he said.
He, however, was appreciative of the foreign policy of India, saying that the country must stick to it in the time to come.