Computer Baba starts anti-BJP yagna

Bhopal: A day after he relinquished his position as minister of state in protest against “lack of respect for religious leaders” by Madhya Pradesh government, the gadget savvy self-styled god man, Computer Baba on Tuesday began ‘yagna’ (a holy ritual) to dislodge ruling BJP from power in the state in the year-end Assembly elections.

53-year-old Computer Baba, born as Namdeo Tyagi, held confabulations with a few religious leaders in a government guest house before proceeding to an open ground to perform ‘havan’ (burning offerings in the fire while chanting shlokas) seeking to ‘oust’ BJP from power in MP much to the amusement of the passersby.

BJP here however appeared unfazed by the development. “The Computer Baba’s love for power has been exposed. He had enjoyed all privileges and perks for six months as minister of state and then all of a sudden decided to quit the post after his request for party ticket in the forthcoming Assembly elections was turned down,” a BJP spokesman said.

In fact, chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday chose to ignore the development by dismissing a query by reporters on the issue with a smile and folded hands.

The religious leader who had shot into national limelight when he sought permission to land on the bank of river Ganga by a chopper to take dip in 2013, declared that he would convene “Dharma Sansad” (religious assembly) to discuss issues pertaining to issues such as cow protection and autonomy to Hindu shrines in India here shortly.

Self-styled god men in Central India have their followings particularly in the rural areas