Yashwant Sinha launches outfit for Opposition unity

Even before the Opposition could forge unity among its ranks to counter the Modi government, disgruntled BJP leader Yashwant Sinha on Tuesday launched Rashtra Manch — a conglomeration of various political parties.

While the former finance minister and his close confidante Shatrughan Sinha called it an apolitical public forum meant to focus on national issues which are being ignored by the government, it is being seen as an effort to forge unity among a fractured opposition.

Former diplomat and analyst KC Singh, who played a key role in organising the event, said the idea is to compel opposition parties to address real issues, create convergence and make the next election a bipolar contest in each state.

Various leaders such as Dinesh Trivedi (TMC), Majeed Memon (NCP) and Pavan Varma (JD-U), Renuka Chowdhury (Congress), Jayant Chaudhary (RLD) and Ashutosh and Sanjay Singh (AAP) joined in.

Attacking PM Narendra Modi, Sinha said, there is an atmosphere of fear in India.

The forum is set to focus on 7 areas — protecting institutions of democracy, security of farmer's income, livelihood concerns of all, improving quality of life in slums and rural areas, security of women, protecting minority rights and ensuring national security.