Baba Ramdev begins three-day fast in Delhi, gives 'last warning' to government

NEW DELHI: Yoga guru Ramdev on Thursday began a three-day fast giving a "last warning" to government to get a strong Lokpal enacted and bring back blackmoney stashed abroad for which there was a need for an "honest and courageous" Prime Minister.

Returning to Ramlila Maidan here where he was bundled out in a midnight police crackdown in June last year, he said if the government fail to indicate its course of action on these and other demands he would announce his future strategy on Saturday.

Neither Anna Hazare nor any of his erstwhile team members were present at the protest venue where a few thousands of his supporters have gathered to join him in the fast.

Ramdev said he has no political agenda and was not keen on indefinite fast and protests.

"There will be no fast-unto-death. There is no indefinite fast. We will go without food and water for three days. I am giving a final warning to the government to take a decision on government within three days.

"After three days, let them (government) tell us what they are going to do. If they don't, then we will announce the next course of action. If they cannot understand the voice of peace, then may be we have to make them listen to the voice of revolution but without violence," he said.

In the evening winding up the day's proceedings, he said, if his suggestions on bringing back black money are accepted, then "petrol will be Rs 35 per litre" and there will be all- round fall in prices.

"But for this, you need an honest and courageous Prime Minister," he said and declared that he was not campaigning to become the Prime Minister of the country.