Ramdev-Maya spat: 'Time will tell who is mayavi'

Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev on Wednesday took potshots at UP Chief Minister Mayawati for receiving garlands made of currency notes, saying the BSP chief should have used the resources for helping Dalits.

"Mayawati has indulged in self-glorification by receiving garlands made of currency notes in utter disregard to the condition of majority of her political constituency -- the Dalits," Ramdev told media persons in Gangtok.

The BSP chief on Wednesday got herself garlanded with currency notes said to be of the value of Rs 18 lakh. Earlier on Monday, she was presented a similar garland of value estimated between Rs 21 lakh and Rs 15 crore.

On Mayawati's reported description of him as mayavi (one who performs illusionary acts), Ramdev claimed the BSP chief was miffed at him because he and his disciples have been working to improve the lives of poor and Dalits.

"Only time will tell who, between the two, is indeed a mayavi ... The day Mayawati loses power, she will herself realise that power is superfluous," he said.

Earlier this week Ramdev, who launched 'Bharat Swabhiman' campaign, said he will field candidates in 2014 general elections but is yet to decide on his own candidature.

Mayawati, in an apparant dig at him, had cautioned her party workers not to fall in the trap of "such babas".

"Some babas are planning to float their own parties with the help of their disciples and contest elections. These gurus and babas are minting money by selling their prescriptions to the people in the name of teaching (yoga)," she had said.