RSS throws its weight behind Advani's 'yatra'

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh on Wednesday said its volunteers will "actively participate" in Bharatiya Janata Party veteran L K Advani's proposed yatra against corruption.

"The Sangh has already asked its swayamsevaks (volunteers) to actively support all initiatives and actions against corruption. They had earlier extended support to Baba Ramdev and Anna Hazare in their campaigns against corruption. Similarly, swayamsevaks will actively participate in L K Advani's campaign," RSS leader Ram Madhav told reporters.

He was asked to comment on the meeting between Advani and RSS sanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat in Nagpur on Wednesday morning. Madhav said Advani spent some time at the RSS headquarters and discussed the situation in the country and his proposed yatra against corruption.

Advani earlier claimed he had met RSS chief Bhagwat to seek his blessings for the yatra.

"I met RSS sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat and asked for his blessings. He gave me his full support and blessings and wished me all the best for the yatra," Advani said.

Making light of his meeting with Bhagwat, Advani said he keeps talking to him "informally".

"We meet whoever can make a big contribution to the yatra," he said.

He also met BJP president Nitin Gadkari, who is recuperating after undergoing a bariatric operation on September 12 to enquire about his health.

"The BJP president will come to Delhi on September 24. I have asked him to make the announcement about the yatra. By then, the plan details will also be chalked out," Advani said.

Giving details of his proposed yatra, Advani said it is likely to start on October 11, the birth anniversary of veteran socialist leader Jaiprakash Narayan, from his village Sitabdiara in Bihar's Saran district.

Advani said he was prompted to start another yatra due to the 2008 cash-for-vote scam and the washout of the winter session of Parliament last year over the Opposition's demand for a probe by the joint parliamentary committee into the 2G spectrum scam.