Oppn leaders meet at Sharad Pawar's residence, discuss socio-political issues

Samajwadi Party spokesperson Ghanshyam Tiwari said that the leaders also discussed how the rising prices of petrol and diesel are affecting the life of farmers and the middle class. "This Manch will create a space where everyone can come together and voice it to the government," he said.

New Delhi: Amid speculations about the possibility of a third front against the ruling BJP, 21 leaders from different opposition parties and intellectuals on Tuesday attended a meeting called by Rashtra Manch chief Yashwant Sinha at NCP chief Sharad Pawar's residence and discussed the current political, economic and social environment of the country.

Addressing the media, NCP leader Majeed Memon said, "many leaders from opposition parties were invited, including Congress, but due to some genuine difficulties, they weren't unable to attend today's meeting. There was no political exclusion and all those who subscribe to the ideology of Rashtra Manch were invited."

Speaking to ETV Bharat, Samajwadi Party spokesperson Ghanshyam Tiwari said, "During today's meeting, we have decided to form a committee under the chairmanship of Yashwant Sinha that will think on an alternate vision for the country."

"The problem of unemployment, economy, is rising, and it is turning our people pessimistic. We will not let this happen and will make our people optimistic," he added.

Samajwadi Party spokesperson Ghanshyam Tiwari said that the leaders also discussed how the rising prices of petrol and diesel are affecting the life of farmers and the middle class. "This Manch will create a space where everyone can come together and voice it to the government," he said.

"In the next meeting, we will try to bring in like-minded parties so that no one can make speculation about political discrimination. We will include everyone who has risen for the country's development and future whether it is a political party social organisation or a person," he added.

Besides Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Yashwant Sinha, NCP chief Sharad Pawar, Samajwadi Party's Ghanshyam Tiwari, Rashtriya Lok Dal president Jayant Chaudhary, Sushil Gupta from the Aam Aadmi Party, CPI leader Buniyadi Viswam, Nilotpal Basu of CPI-M, National Conference (NC) leader Farooq Abdullah, former Congress leader Sanjay Jha, former JD (U) leader Pawan Verma, NCP leader Majeed Memon, Justice AP Shah, lyricist Javed Akhtar and former ambassador KC Singh also attended the meeting.