Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday said it was time for all Opposition parties to shed their differences and move forward unitedly “to save” sovereignty and democracy in the country.
The Narendra Modi government has taken a lot of steps not in the interest of the country and has now “crossed the limit”, Mr. Singh said during a nationwide protest against rising fuel prices, organised by the Congress and joined by various Opposition parties.
United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi was also present at the rally, held at the Ramlila ground in New Delhi, but did not speak.
Mr. Singh said all sections of society - youth, farmers and common people - were unhappy with the Modi government as it had failed to fulfil the promises made to people.
He urged the parties to listen to People's voice and move forward to ''save the country and democracy.'' “The Modi government has done a lot which are not in national interest. Now it has crossed the limit and time is coming to change it,” he said.
Leaders of various Opposition parties led by Congress president Rahul Gandhi started a ''Bharat bandh'' against rising fuel prices from Rajghat.
Making his first appearance after returning from a Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage, Mr. Gandhi began the bandh after paying tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. The bandh began after Mr. Gandhi offered holy water from the lake.
