The likes of Nitish Kumar, Lalu Yadav, Chandra Babu Naidu and Sheila Dixit were in Haridwar to support yoga guru Baba Ramdev's new venture.

Vice President Bharon Singh Shekhwat inaugurated Ramdev's ayurvedic hospital Pithanjali at a mega function on Thursday.

"I'm here because this is one of the greatest things that is happening in India," said Naidu.

Buoyed by the support shown to him, Ramdev went on make some very tall claims. He said yoga can cure cancer and even AIDS.

Simplistic appeal

Listening attentively were not just political bigwigs but close to 10,000 devotees, who according to Ramdev, are attracted by his simplistic appeal.

"The reason I'm so popular is because I was an ordinary person and I have lived with the masses. What I'm teaching them is not earth shattering," said Ramdev.

Clearly the recent controversy over the alleged use of human and animal bones in his medicines has had little impact on Ramdev's fan following.

Even Lalu Yadav swore by his cures. "If I'm dying, I'll have anything," he said.

The stage is now set for Ramdev's next big project. Uttaranchal CM ND Tiwari announced that his proposal of setting up a yoga university in the state had been passed by the assembly.