Anna Hazare-Baba Ramdev set to campaign against Congress in Uttarakhand

NEW DELHI: In a development that could bring comfort to BJP, Team Anna has decided to strike a deal with Baba Ramdev to campaign against Congress in Uttarakhand.

Team Anna members said the Yoga Guru, who commands considerable following in Uttarakhand, has been invited to join their campaign in the hill state. The invitation to Ramdev comes just days after he became the target of an 'ink attack' in New Delhi.

BJP will be looking forward to the Team Anna-Baba campaign as it would help to shift the focus away from the party's 'unwholesome' track record in the state.

It was the acute integrity deficit for the Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank-led government that prompted the party to effect a last-minute leadership change.

With Sonia Gandhi making anti-corruption her party's main plank, BJP will be under pressure to defend its government. BJP is critically dependent on new chief minister BC Khanduri's perceived clean image to overcome the troubles.

BJP's campaign in the state is centred around Khanduri. The party is also trumpeting his Lokayukta legislation as one of the major successes of its government. Team Anna had described the Lokayukta legislation as something closest to their Jan Lokpal bill.

Anna Hazare, whose team is planning to begin its Uttarakhand campaign from January 21, had appreciated Khanduri's Lokayukta bill. The chief minister is confident that Team Anna will back BJP as the Congress-led UPA had failed to pass the Lokpal bill in Parliament. "The central government is not keen on bringing the Lokpal bill. I am sure that during its campaign, Team Anna will give credit to BJP in the state for bringing the anti-graft law. I supported Anna Hazare's cause," Khanduri said.

Hazare had met the CM in Delhi at the Uttaranchal Niwas. Khanduri, who has applauded the activist's campaign to raise the public voice against corruption, said Hazare was very happy about his state's Lokayukta Act.