More than three months after he launch the Rashtra Manch (National Forum) to highlight failures of the Narendra Modi government, ex-BJP leader Yashwant Sinha on Thursday began an indefinite dharna in Delhi against the Karnataka governor's decision to invite the BJP to form a government in the state, despite it not having the requisite numbers.
Sinha, who has been a consistent critic of the Modi government's policies, said he would continue his protest at Vijay Chowk in the capital till a government that had legitimate numbers was sworn in in Karnataka.
Interestingly, one of the posters at the protest spot read 'Murderer of democracy in India' with the first letter of the words capitalised. Sinha was joined by a number of leaders from opposition parties including Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, Punjab minister Manpreet Badal, Sharad Yadav of the JD(U) and Manoj Jha of the RJD, in addition to AAP MLAs from Delhi.
Sinha, who quit the BJP in April saying democracy was in danger, said the turn of events in Karnataka—where Governor Vajubhai Vala invited B.S. Yeddyurappa to form a government—was a “rehearsal” of how government formation would be if the BJP did not gain enough seats in the next Lok Sabha polls.
Sinha said, like the IPL cricket tournament, there was now an 'Indian political league' where political loyalties were being bought by the highest bidder.