Former Union Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha quits BJP

Former Union Minister Yashwant Sinha on Saturday announced that he was quitting the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Blaming the condition of the party to be the reason behind his decision, the veteran leader cited the example of the recent Parliament session, which he said was the shortest session in the history.

During a meeting of his organization Rashtra Manch in Patna this afternoon, Yashwant Sinha made the announcement, "Today I am ending all ties with the BJP... I am taking sanyas (retirement) from any kind of party politics”.

The meeting witnessed leaders of Congress, Lalu Yadav's Rashtriya Janata Dal and BJP lawmaker Shatrughan Sinha in attendance.

In the recent past, Mr. Sinha had launched a tirade against the Centre, particularly regarding its economic policies after the demonetization move to scrap old Rs 500 and Rs 1000 banknotes.

Today I am taking 'sanyas' from any kind of party politics, today I am ending all ties with the BJP: Former Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha in Patna. pic.twitter.com/cOvInznyza

— ANI (@ANI) April 21, 2018

In January, Sinha launched a political platform, Rashtra Manch joined by a number of politicians including MP Shatrughan Sinha, to take on the Centre and highlight the "anti-people" policies.

In February, he had claimed of not holding any intentions to leave the BJP but the party could throw him out because of his criticisms.

He even accused the Modi government of not fulfilling the promises made during the 2014 general elections.