File photo of Baba Ramdev
Yoga guru Baba Ramdev on Sunday sought to downplay his statement, wherein he had chided BJP's Alwar candidate Mahant Chandnath for discussing election funds while microphones were still on.
"I had made an ordinary statement saying it was not an issue to be discussed on that platform. He (Chandnath) said that money is (getting) seized. I said (that) this should not be discussed here," Ramdev said while responding to a query at a press conference in Mumbai.
The conversation, prior to the commencement of a press meet in Alwar recently, had left Ramdev red-faced when TV cameras caught him warning Mr Chandnath against talking about money when microphones were on.
Ramdev, who is busy touring various parts of the country, mobilising support for BJP's PM nominee Narendra Modi, said the Congress tally will be reduced to 50 seats.
"The Congress will get only 40-50 seats. There is not only a Modi wave, but a Modi storm which will make big trees fall...It is our dream that Modi ji enters Parliament with the support of more than 300 MPs," he added.
Ramdev said, "Not only in the (history of) country but in world history as well, a massive political change will be seen in this 2014 Lok Sabha elections and this will not be limited only to change of power."
Responding to a query on the Congress President Sonia Gandhi addressing a rally in Amethi for the first time in a decade, he said, "Sonia Gandhi is emotionally blackmailing people saying she has dedicated her son to Amethi. Will people from Amethi believe in such things? There is no charisma of her son."
The yoga guru also took a dig at Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal, alleging that his election campaign is funded by the Congress.
"Kejriwalji is a 'sadak-chaap' person. From where is he getting crores of rupees? They are all funded by Congress. There are various NGOs who are trying to put roadblocks in the way of Modi's bid to become the prime minister," he said.
To a query whether there is a wave in favour of Kejriwal, Ramdev said, "Kejriwal's wave is on the streets. He will remain a sadak-chaap only. You will see him doing roadshows even after elections. He has lost his charisma in politics."