Sinha takes ‘sanyas’ from party politics

Tribune News Service

Patna, April 21

Veteran BJP leader Yashwant Sinha, a vocal critic of the Modi government, on Saturday announced snapping of his ties with the BJP.

Announcing his “sanyas” from party politics, the former Union Finance Minister said he would now work towards “saving democracy” in the country, that was under “threat”.

Speaking at a meeting hosted by Rashtriya Manch, a forum that Sinha floated on January 30, the 80-year-old said: “I gave up electoral politics four years ago. I am quitting party politics now. I have also snapped all ties with the BJP.” Among those at the event were BJP MP from Patna Sahib Shatrughan Sinha, Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Legislative Assembly Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, Congress’ Renuka Chaudhary as well as AAP, SP and TMC representatives.

Shatrughan Sinha said: “My entry in the Bihar Assembly elections was banned and the BJP incurred losses. I am still with the party. I did not join the party to quit. But if the party so wishes, it can dump me.”

Unfazed, state minister Nand Kishore Yadav remarked: “Yashwant Sinha had already been working against the Modi government as he was afraid of the PM’s growing popularity owing to his development policies. Whenever polls are due, several fronts and forums are formed but these do not matter.”

Yashwant Sinha, a 1960-batch IAS officer, held several important posts in Bihar as well as the Central Government. He was Principal Secretary to former Bihar CM Karpoori Thakur in 1977. He resigned in 1984 and joined the Janata Party. He was elected member of the Rajya Sabha in 1988. He served as Union Minister first in the Chandra Shekhar government and then the Vajpayee ministry.