Coming out in defence of Baba Ramdev, the BJP on Sunday asked the Congress leadership in Uttarakhand to desist from making irresponsible statements about the Yoga guru.

Dr Anil Jain, the BJP’s in-charge for Uttarakhand, lashed out at Congress leader Harak Singh Rawat for attacking Ramdev. On Saturday, Rawat, who is also the Opposition leader in the state Assembly, had said that Ramdev was toeing the line of a particular political party.

Jain hit back on Sunday, saying: “It is their habit to link anyone talking of patriotism and Indian culture with the BJP. We do not want to join issue with them, but what they are trying to do is deplorable.” He added, “Calling Baba Ramdev, who is an internationally renowned figure, a BJP agent shows the mindset of the Congress. They are trying to disrespect both Baba Ramdev and the BJP. The politics which they are resorting to is petty and they should refrain from doing so. They should instead try to do something for the state.”

Jain was here to attend the meeting of the BJP state parliamentary board on the eve of the Budget Session. With a new Chief Minister taking over, the party’s national leadership wanted a central leader to take part in the meeting in which the strategy to be adopted on the floor of the House would be decided.