Tendulkar nomination a Congress ploy, says Ramdev

New Delhi, April 28 (IANS) Yoga guru Baba Ramdev Saturday criticised the Congress party for nominating cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar to the Rajya Sabha, calling it a ploy to distract public attention.

"Congress, which is a sinking ship, denied him (Tendulkar) the Bharat Ratna but is nominating him to the Rajya Sabha as a tactic to distract the media and people from issues such as black money and corruption," said Ramdev at a press conference here.

"If inducting cricketers and celebrities in parliament can bring back black money back into the country, I request the people in power to induct every cricketer and celebrity," he said.

He claimed that political pressure was being put on Tendulkar from several quarters to accept the nomination.

On his decision to join hands with activist Anna Hazare to fight corruption, Ramdev said "political forces" were questioning his decision.

"Some corrupt corporates and political leaders are not comfortable with us coming together. So, they keep questioning our unity," he said.

"Neither Anna Hazare nor me claimed that we were going to unite our two campaigns. But we'll keep coming together whenever needed just like we have planned for June 3," he said.

Ramdev said there was no rift between him and Hazare, and that their "frequencies matched".

He said just and equitable institutions needed to be put in place of corrupt institutions. For this, he would keep a fast along with Hazare at Jantar Mantar on June 3.

During the press meet, Ramdev also announced his itinerary for the thrid part of his Bharat Swabhiman Yatra. He said the journey would start May 1 and end June 3 with the fast at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.

"During the 'yatra,' people in power will try to malign me, which is expected. But when that happens, I request the media to also hear our side of the story so that the complete picture can come out in the public," he said.