More than a year after joining the Trinamool Congress, Yashwant Sinha has left the party led by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Sinha, a former BJP stalwart, took to social media to announce his decision.
“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 tweeted.
Sinha’s decision to step aside from the party role has triggered speculations that the veteran politician may be projected as the opposition candidate for the upcoming Presidential polls. Earlier, efforts were made to convince NCP supremo Sharad Pawar to be the opposition candidate but he reportedly declined the offer.
National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah and Mahatma Gandhi’s grandson Gopalkrishna Gandhi were also reportedly approached but they too have reportedly turned down the offer.
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.
— Yashwant Sinha (@YashwantSinha) June 21, 2022
Meanwhile, the ruling BJP too has stepped up its efforts ahead of the Presidential polls scheduled for 18 July. The counting of the votes will take place on 21 July, three days before President Ram Nath Kovind’s term comes to an end. A report by PTI said that union ministers Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh, BJP chief JP Nadda on Tuesday met Vice President Venkaiah Naidu ahead of key BJP meet on Presidential polls.
