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Tag: Yashwant Sinha

  • ‘Don’t see Sri Lanka happening in India’: Yashwant Sinha

    By Express News Service

    BHOPAL: Ruling out an economic crisis similar to Sri Lanka happening in India, former union finance minister and opposition parties’ presidential election candidate Yashwant Sinha said on Thursday that the galloping depreciation of the Indian Rupee to the US Dollar is highly alarming and concerning.

    “I don’t see a situation similar to Sri Lanka happening in India, as our economy isn’t dependent on just a few industries like Sri Lanka. The tourism industry on which the Sri Lankan economy was largely dependent, suffered a huge jolt due to the COVID-19 pandemic, while the Sri Lankan tea market too was adversely hit. I don’t see similar things happening in India, as our economy isn’t just based on a few industries,” Sinha told journalists in Bhopal on Thursday.

    He, however, added that what is concerning is the continuous decline in the Indian Rupee to the US Dollar.

    “Never have I seen such steady depreciation in the value of the rupee as it’s happening presently. During the tenure of the present Prime Minister, the Indian Rupee has suffered the steepest fall against the US Dollar, from 58.44 in 2014 to 79.86 as I speak. This has badly hit the common people reflected through an unprecedented increase in prices of essentials, like the LPG gas cylinder, which was priced at Rs 410 in 2014, but has risen by around 300 per cent to Rs 1129 presently.”

    “What is even more worrying is the fact that our robust foreign exchange reserves are fast depleting. “Till a few days ago, our country’s huge foreign exchange reserve was pegged at 641 Billion Dollars, but the RBI has had to spend 45 Billion Dollars out of that to save the sliding rupee. I’m only hoping that the global conditions don’t become such that there is a run on the rupee. As far as I know, you can never fight the market, if the market is determined to take Rupee’s value to 85 to one US Dollar, then you can’t fight it. We’re faced with a crisis situation, where our huge foreign exchange reserves are depleting very fast,” Sinha maintained.

    While speaking about his opponent in the presidential election, the NDA candidate Droupadi Murmu, the former union minister said, “There is nothing in the President’s post, why doesn’t PM Modi appoint her the country’s Prime Minister.”

    He further said, “If the BJP leadership was so committed to tribal empowerment, why didn’t they choose a tribal leader for the presidential election from Madhya Pradesh, which has the largest tribal population in the country.”

    BHOPAL: Ruling out an economic crisis similar to Sri Lanka happening in India, former union finance minister and opposition parties’ presidential election candidate Yashwant Sinha said on Thursday that the galloping depreciation of the Indian Rupee to the US Dollar is highly alarming and concerning.

    “I don’t see a situation similar to Sri Lanka happening in India, as our economy isn’t dependent on just a few industries like Sri Lanka. The tourism industry on which the Sri Lankan economy was largely dependent, suffered a huge jolt due to the COVID-19 pandemic, while the Sri Lankan tea market too was adversely hit. I don’t see similar things happening in India, as our economy isn’t just based on a few industries,” Sinha told journalists in Bhopal on Thursday.

    He, however, added that what is concerning is the continuous decline in the Indian Rupee to the US Dollar.

    “Never have I seen such steady depreciation in the value of the rupee as it’s happening presently. During the tenure of the present Prime Minister, the Indian Rupee has suffered the steepest fall against the US Dollar, from 58.44 in 2014 to 79.86 as I speak. This has badly hit the common people reflected through an unprecedented increase in prices of essentials, like the LPG gas cylinder, which was priced at Rs 410 in 2014, but has risen by around 300 per cent to Rs 1129 presently.”

    “What is even more worrying is the fact that our robust foreign exchange reserves are fast depleting. “Till a few days ago, our country’s huge foreign exchange reserve was pegged at 641 Billion Dollars, but the RBI has had to spend 45 Billion Dollars out of that to save the sliding rupee. I’m only hoping that the global conditions don’t become such that there is a run on the rupee. As far as I know, you can never fight the market, if the market is determined to take Rupee’s value to 85 to one US Dollar, then you can’t fight it. We’re faced with a crisis situation, where our huge foreign exchange reserves are depleting very fast,” Sinha maintained.

    While speaking about his opponent in the presidential election, the NDA candidate Droupadi Murmu, the former union minister said, “There is nothing in the President’s post, why doesn’t PM Modi appoint her the country’s Prime Minister.”

    He further said, “If the BJP leadership was so committed to tribal empowerment, why didn’t they choose a tribal leader for the presidential election from Madhya Pradesh, which has the largest tribal population in the country.”

  • Acharya Pramod Krishnam of Congress  bats for Murmu as President, urges party to review decision

    Express News Service

    LUCKNOW: Senior Congress leader and head of Kalki Ashram Acharya Pramod Krishnam on Thursday advocated the support to NDA candidate Droupadi Murmu in upcoming Presidential polls on July 18.

    Taking to the Twitter on Wednesday night, Acharya Pramod Krishnam aired his views contrary to the Congress party line. The leader even went a step further suggesting the party high command to review its decision over the support to the presidential candidate.

    He posted: Since the times of Pundit Moti Lal Nehru, the Congress has always stood by the exploited, deprived and tribals. In my opinion, opposing a woman, coming from tribal community, in the presidential election is not appropriate. Party high command should rethink over it.”

    The opinion of Acharya Krishnam, who is one of the front runners in the race to the post of UP Congress Committee (UPCC) chief, assumes significance as the AICC chief Sonia Gandhi had convened a meeting of senior Congress leaders at her residence to discuss party’s stance in presidential election besides other issues.

    ALSO READ | Droupadi Murmu visit: BJP to woo Chhattisgarh tribals

    Earlier, reacting to the grand welcome extended to Opposition’s presidential candidate and former minister in Atal Bihari Vajpayee cabinet, Yashwant Sinha by senior Congress leader Kamalnath at his residence in Bhopal on Wednesday morning, Acharya Krishnam had posted a critical tweet saying: “Look what a situation has arrived. They could have, at least, fielded a Congressman.”

    Even before this, Acharya Pramod Krishnam had been making statements contradictory to Congress’s official stand. On 12 July, when Yashwant Sinha was in Lucknow and had said that if elected as the President, he would act as the custodian of the Constitution preventing the government from doing anything such thing which could hurt and harm the democratic values of the country– such as toppling the elected state governments, Acharya Krishnam had tagged Sinha’s statement and tweeted: Na nau man tel hoga, na Radha Nachengi (It will never happen as Sinha will not win).

    ALSO READ | Presidential election: Shiv Sena to support NDA’s candidate Droupadi Murmu

    Even earlier also, Acharya Pramod Krishnam and Congress Communication head Jairam Ramesh had been seen sparring over various issues like Udaipur killing and Maharashtra political crisis.In the aftermath of the beheading of Tailor Kanhaiya Lal in Udiapur, Krishnam had responded to a tweet by Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot condemning the incident by asking why the victim was not provided security despite receiving life threats.

    “Along side the killers, the police and administration are equally responsible. Why has there not been any action against SSP, DIG till now? Is the government’s authority totally finished in Rajasthan?” Krishnam had asked through a twitter post.

    To this Jairam Ramesh had suggested him to think before crossing the ‘Lakshman Rekha’ (the line of caution). Even Acharya had exhorted Uddhav Thackrey to quit power when his government hadplunged into crisis. To this, Ramesh had come out to clarify that it was neither the stand of Congress party nor was Pramod Krishnam party’s authorised spokesman.

    LUCKNOW: Senior Congress leader and head of Kalki Ashram Acharya Pramod Krishnam on Thursday advocated the support to NDA candidate Droupadi Murmu in upcoming Presidential polls on July 18.

    Taking to the Twitter on Wednesday night, Acharya Pramod Krishnam aired his views contrary to the Congress party line. The leader even went a step further suggesting the party high command to review its decision over the support to the presidential candidate.

    He posted: Since the times of Pundit Moti Lal Nehru, the Congress has always stood by the exploited, deprived and tribals. In my opinion, opposing a woman, coming from tribal community, in the presidential election is not appropriate. Party high command should rethink over it.”

    The opinion of Acharya Krishnam, who is one of the front runners in the race to the post of UP Congress Committee (UPCC) chief, assumes significance as the AICC chief Sonia Gandhi had convened a meeting of senior Congress leaders at her residence to discuss party’s stance in presidential election besides other issues.

    ALSO READ | Droupadi Murmu visit: BJP to woo Chhattisgarh tribals

    Earlier, reacting to the grand welcome extended to Opposition’s presidential candidate and former minister in Atal Bihari Vajpayee cabinet, Yashwant Sinha by senior Congress leader Kamalnath at his residence in Bhopal on Wednesday morning, Acharya Krishnam had posted a critical tweet saying: “Look what a situation has arrived. They could have, at least, fielded a Congressman.”

    Even before this, Acharya Pramod Krishnam had been making statements contradictory to Congress’s official stand. On 12 July, when Yashwant Sinha was in Lucknow and had said that if elected as the President, he would act as the custodian of the Constitution preventing the government from doing anything such thing which could hurt and harm the democratic values of the country– such as toppling the elected state governments, Acharya Krishnam had tagged Sinha’s statement and tweeted: Na nau man tel hoga, na Radha Nachengi (It will never happen as Sinha will not win).

    ALSO READ | Presidential election: Shiv Sena to support NDA’s candidate Droupadi Murmu

    Even earlier also, Acharya Pramod Krishnam and Congress Communication head Jairam Ramesh had been seen sparring over various issues like Udaipur killing and Maharashtra political crisis.
    In the aftermath of the beheading of Tailor Kanhaiya Lal in Udiapur, Krishnam had responded to a tweet by Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot condemning the incident by asking why the victim was not provided security despite receiving life threats.

    “Along side the killers, the police and administration are equally responsible. Why has there not been any action against SSP, DIG till now? Is the government’s authority totally finished in Rajasthan?” Krishnam had asked through a twitter post.

    To this Jairam Ramesh had suggested him to think before crossing the ‘Lakshman Rekha’ (the line of caution). Even Acharya had exhorted Uddhav Thackrey to quit power when his government had
    plunged into crisis. To this, Ramesh had come out to clarify that it was neither the stand of Congress party nor was Pramod Krishnam party’s authorised spokesman.

  • Rajbhar’s party yet to take call on presidential election, keeps Opposition camp guessing

    By PTI

    LUCKNOW/BALLIA: Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party, which has kept ally Samajwadi Party guessing on whom it will vote for in the presidential election, will take a call on Saturday after meeting SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, a party leader said.

    However, SP party leader Udaiveer Singh, whose name was taken by the SBSP leader for finalising the meeting, said “no such meeting has been fixed”.

    As chinks appear in the opposition alliance in Uttar Pradesh, the SBSP has been sending mixed signals on whether its MLAs will vote for opposition nominee Yashwant Sinha or ruling NDA candidate Droupadi Murmu.

    On Tuesday, an SBSP spokesperson maintained that the party still remained part of the SP-led alliance.

    SBSP chief Om Prakash Rajbhar had earlier said he will announce the party s decision on the presidential election on Tuesday after meeting Akhilesh Yadav on the issue and other matters related to the alliance.

    But spokesperson Arun Rajbhar told PTI that a press conference scheduled for the day has been cancelled.

    He said the SBSP chief will soon meet Yadav.

    He said senior SP leader Udaiveer Singh had earlier told the SBSP that Yadav will meet them in a couple of days.

    He suggested that the planned meeting has got delayed because of the death of party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav’s wife Sadhna Yadav.

    “After having a meeting with Akhilesh Yadav regarding the presidential election, a press conference will be held in Lucknow on July 16,” the SBSP spokesperson, who is party chief’s son, said.

    However, SP leader and former MLC Udaiveer Singh denied claims of the SBSP leader regarding meeting with Akhilesh Yadav.

    “Neither such a meeting is fixed, nor anyone from SBSP has talked to SP or me for seeking the time (from SP Chief),” Singh clarified in a tweet in Hindi.

    Arun Rajbhar earlier maintained that the party remained an ally of the SP.

    “The SBSP is with the SP and will remain with it in the future as well,” he said.

    When asked about a party meeting Tuesday in Ballia s Rasra, he said, “Discussions were held on expanding the party organisation.

    The SBSP chief said that a meeting will be held (with Akhilesh Yadav) by July 16, after which “we will make it clear whom we will vote for,” he said.

    Om Prakash Rajbhar had created a flutter in the opposition camp by attending a dinner hosted by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in Lucknow last Friday.

    It signalled cracks in the opposition alliance and triggered speculation that Rajbhar could walk out of the coalition that fought the recent assembly election together.

    Shivpal Yadav, who heads the Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party (Lohia), formally an SP ally, also attended the dinner hosted for Murmu.

    Jansatta Dal Loktantrik chief Raghuraj Pratap Singh, also known as Raja Bhaiya, and the lone Bahujan Samaj Party MLA in Uttar Pradesh, Uma Shankar Singh, were also present there.

  • ‘Why should we back Murmu in presidential poll?’ Trinamool MP on BJP letter seeking support

    By PTI

    KOLKATA: Veteran TMC MP Saugata Roy on Friday said that he and other parliamentarians of his party have received a letter from the Bengal BJP leadership, seeking their support for NDA presidential nominee Droupadi Murmu.

    Roy, in the same breath, also said that lawmakers of his party would vote for joint non-BJP candidate Yashwant Sinha.

    Murmu, who had been touring states for electioneering, is scheduled to visit Kolkata to meet BJP MPs and MLAs from West Bengal.

    “We have received a letter signed by BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar and Leader of the opposition in West Bengal assembly Suvendu Adhikari, urging us (TMC MPs) to support NDA nominee Droupadi Murmu for presidential polls. They have claimed that Murmu’s victory is certain, and we all should vote for her to strengthen democratic and constitutional norms,” Roy said.

    The veteran TMC MP, however, ruled out any possibility of backing Murmu.

    “Why should we support the NDA candidate when the opposition parties together have fielded Yashwant Sinha? We will vote for Sinha,” he said.

    Last month, Majumdar and Adhikari had written to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, urging her to support Murmu in the July 18 presidential poll.

    The Bengal BJP had in June announced that it would write to all the TMC MPs and MLAs, seeking their support for the NDA nominee.

    Last week, Banerjee had said that Murmu, a tribal BJP leader from Odisha, could have been a consensus candidate had the saffron party discussed with the opposition parties before fielding her.

  • I will ensure repeal of sedition law: Opposition presidential candidate Yashwant Sinha

    By Express News Service

    BENGALURU: Yashwant Sinha, the presidential candidate supported by Opposition parties, on Sunday affirmed here that India needs a ‘Rashtrapati’ who serves as the impartial custodian of the Constitution and not a silent rubber-stamp — and took a pledge to work for the repeal of the sedition law of the British Raj.

    The veteran leader, who took four more oaths, requested his opponent Droupadi Murmu, candidate of the BJP-led NDA alliance, to make a similar announcement.

    Briefing the press after taking part in the Congress Legislative Party (CLP) meeting chaired by its leader and opposition leader Siddaramaiah at a hotel, Sinha took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s regime.

    “In the past eight years, the ruling dispensation has launched repeated assaults on democracy and secularism, which form the founding principles of our Republic. It has unleashed a poisonous communal propaganda,” he alleged.

    Welcoming the Supreme Court’s indictment of former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma for her remarks on Prophet Mohammed, he regretted that BJP supporters who had rejoiced at the SC’s verdict on the Ram Janmabhoomi issue, are now trolling the Supreme Court.

    “I fully endorse the view and congratulate CJI NV Ramana for this forthright affirmation. Indeed, I have been saying, since I filed my nomination papers on June 27, that the sole purpose behind my acceptance of the combined Opposition’s offer to be their candidate is to safeguard the Constitution and its lofty values, which are today under unprecedented threat,” he said. 

    ‘BJP kidnapped Shiv Sena MLAs’

    The Centre has weaponised ED, CBI, Election Commission and even the Governor’s office against Opposition parties, their leaders and gover nments. In Maharashtra, it toppled the coalition government by facili tating the kidnapping of Shiv Sena MLAs to Gujarat and Assam, both BJP-ruled states.

    The Centre has no respect for the federal structure, as it has been constantly encroaching the powers of States, he alleged. He also condemned the Karnataka government for attem pting to communalise the minds of the youth by introducing a new school curriculum.

    He read out his pledges, including to restrain the Centre if it in any way aids and abets undemocratic practices like ‘Operation Kamal’. “I shall speak out against atte mpts to polarize India. I shall defend the Freedom of Press, Sp eech and other rights and freedoms the Constitution grants (with rea sonable restrictions) to citizens, regardless of their religion or ideology,” he stated.

  • ‘Governments not toeing Hindutva ‘not safe’ under BJP-led dispensation at Centre’: Yashwant Sinha

    By PTI

    CHENNAI: Yashwant Sinha, the Opposition nominee for the next month’s Presidential election, on Thursday alleged that any government which believes in the Constitution and secularism and does not believe in Hindutva is not safe in this country.

    Addressing a meeting of DMK and its allies which extended support to him, Sinha said they (BJP) have found a scapegoat to occupy the ‘exalted chair’ of the Chief Minister of Maharashtra.

    Sinha said, “But what does this show? This shows that this ruling party at the Centre and the government of India have absolutely no respect for the federal structure of our Constitution.”

    They are violating one convention after convention of the Constitution, he alleged.

    “I was listening to the speech of the leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party in Maharashtra and he was constantly talking of Hindutva and he was saying that we brought down this government because it did not believe in Hindutva. Which means that any government which believes in the Constitution, which does not believe in Hindutva but believes in secularism is not safe in this country,” he said.

    “Me agreeing to contest the Presidential election is ‘a continuous struggle’ against the alleged excesses of the Central government and the BJP that runs it. Until 2014, I was heading the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance,” Sinha said and added that it was in sync with the tradition that a person from the Opposition should be helming it.

    “Now, a ruling party member heads that committee. It is another matter that he happens to be my son (Jayant Sinha). But I have no hesitation in saying that this is a wrong practice,” he said.

    Sinha assured that he would strictly uphold the Constitution and its provisions if elected to the office of the President.

    On his arrival at the DMK headquarters ‘Anna Arivalayam’, Sinha was welcomed and taken into the party office by Stalin and he presided over a meet of his party and its allies which extended their support to the former Union Minister.

    While Stalin hailed Sinha as a ‘man of eminence’, MDMK chief and Rajya Sabha member Vaiko said, ‘We all are with you’.

    Leaders of DMK’s alliance parties, including the Congress party’s (legislature party leader) K Selvaperunthagai, spoke assuring whole-hearted support to Sinha.

    Representatives of the Left parties and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi also promised support to Sinha.

  • Yashwant Sinha files nomination for presidential election

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Opposition’s presidential candidate Yashwant Sinha on Monday filed his nomination papers for the July 18 election.

    Sinha handed over four sets of nomination papers to Rajya Sabha Secretary General P C Mody, who is the returning officer for the presidential election.

    Top opposition leaders including NCP supremo Sharad Pawar, Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Jairam Ramesh, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, DMK’s A Raja and NC leader Farooq Abdullah were present when Sinha submitted his nomination papers.

    Sinha was named as the common opposition candidate for the presidential election on June 21. NDA nominee Droupadi Murmu has already filed her nomination papers last week.

  • Presidential polls: Opposition candidate Yashwant Sinha reaches out to PM Narendra Modi for support

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Opposition candidate for the presidential election Yashwant Sinha reached out to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday, seeking their support for the July 18 polls.

    Sinha also dialled Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren and reminded him of the commitment that the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) had made when he was named as the combined opposition candidate for the presidential polls. “We have begun our campaign in earnest and will reach out to everyone to seek their support in the election,” sources in the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) said.

    They said Sinha made calls to the offices of Modi and Singh and left a message seeking support for his candidature. The former Union minister also reached out to his mentor and veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Lal Krishna Advani.

    Sinha is scheduled to file his nomination papers on Monday afternoon in the presence of top opposition leaders.

    The JMM and the Janata Dal (Secular), led by former prime minister H D Deve Gowda, are being seen as supportive of the NDA’s presidential candidate, Droupadi Murmu, who filed her nomination papers on Friday.

    Sinha, who was expected to launch his campaign for the presidential election from his home state Jharkhand on Friday, was forced to delay it when it emerged that Soren is leaning in favour of Murmu, a fellow Santhal community member.

    Meanwhile, Sinha wrote a letter to all the opposition leaders who have chosen him as their common candidate for the July 18 polls. “I assure you — and the people of India — that, if elected, I shall conscientiously uphold, without fear or favour, the basic values and guiding ideals of the Indian Constitution,” Sinha said.

    He said he plans to launch his campaign after filing his nomination papers on Monday by visiting as many state capitals as possible. “I hope to meet you as well as the MPs and MLAs belonging to your party to seek your support and guidance,” Sinha wrote in the letter.

  • Won’t allow light of democracy to dim if elected: Opposition’s presidential candidate Yashwant Sinha

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: Yashwant Sinha – the common presidential candidate of Opposition assured the nation on Wednesday that if he is elected, he, as the custodian of Constitution, would not allow the light of democracy and secularism to get dimmed in the country.

    “I assure the People of India-that, if elected, I shall conscientiously uphold, without fear or favour, the basic values and guiding ideals of the Indian Constitution. In particular, as the Custodian of the Constitution, I shall not allow the light of democracy and secularism to be dimmed by the executive,” Sinha promised in a statement.

    Taunting sarcastically at the Modi government indirectly, he also averred that he would not allow the independence and integrity of democratic institutions to be weaponised against political opponents as is happening now. “I shall do my utmost to ensure that the majesty of Indian Parliament will remain safe from attacks by the forces of authoritarianism,” he claimed further in a statement.

    Taking a swipe ,albeit indirectly, on the Modi government, Sinha alleged that the ongoing attacks on the federal structure of the Constitution, whereby the government is attempting to rob the state governments of their legitimate rights and powers, will be treated as totally ‘unacceptable’.

    Taking a resolve against the ill-gotten money, Sinha further said: “I shall also use the authority of my office to check the menacing power of ill-gotten money that is killing the soul of Indian democracy and making mockery of people’s mandate in elections. India is going through extremely difficult times. I shall raise my voice for the common people-Kissan, workers, unemployed youth, women and all marginalised sections of society.”

    Putting an extra emphasis, he said that this is not a contest of individuals. “I have great regard to Smt Droupadi Murmu, who has been chosen by the BJP as its candidate for the Presidential election. I have had the pleasure of interacting with her when she was the Governor of Jharkhand,” Sinha said, wishing her well in the election.  

    Sinha further stated that the presidential election is battle between two opposing ideologies.

    “Leaders of one ideology are hell-bent on throttling the Constitution. They believe that India’s Rashtrapati should not function with a mind of her /his won and should merely serve as a rubber stamp to do the government’s bidding,” he said.

    He added that he was proud of himself for belonging to other ideology that is determined to save the Constitution and the Republic. He said that he will file his nomination on June 27 and state visiting the state capitals for meeting with MPs, MLAs and others. “Above all, I also seek support and guidance of Janata Janardan – the people of this great nation,” Sinha said.

  • Yashwant Sinha picked as joint Opposition candidate for presidential polls

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Former Union minister Yashwant Sinha’s name has emerged as the consensus presidential candidate of 13 opposition parties, including the Congress, the TMC and the Samajwadi Party, which met here on Tuesday to discuss the issue.

    Opposition leaders, who gathered at the Parliament annexe for the meeting convened by NCP chief Sharad Pawar to decide on a consensus candidate for the presidential election, agreed on Sinha’s name, they said.

    Sinha’s name came up after Pawar, Gopalkrishna Gandhi and Farooq Abdullah opted out of the race.

    The parties that attended the meeting include the Congress, NCP, TMC, CPI, CPI-M, Samajwadi Party, National Conference, AIMIM, RJD and AIUDF.

    We (opposition parties) have unanimously decided that Yashwant Sinha will be the common candidate of the Opposition for the Presidential elections: Congress leader Jairam Ramesh pic.twitter.com/lhnfE7Vj8d
    — ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2022
    Congress’ Mallikarjun Kharge and Jairam Ramesh, TMC’s Abhishek Banerjee, DMK’s Tiruchi Siva, CPI-M’s Sitaram Yechury and CPI’s D Raja were among those who participated in the meeting.

    Five regional parties considered non-aligned – TRS, BJD, AAP, SAD and YSRCP — stayed away.

    These parties had also stayed away from the June 15 meeting convened by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

    Earlier today, Yashwant Sinha had said that he will “step aside” from the TMC to work for the larger national cause of Opposition unity. “I am grateful to Mamataji for the honour and prestige she bestowed on me in the TMC. Now a time has come when for a larger national cause I must step aside from the party to work for greater opposition unity. I am sure she approves of the step,” Sinha said in a tweet.