Six Indian Opposition Parties Merge to Counter Ruling BJP

NEW DELHI (Sputnik) – Six opposition parties in India merged on Wednesday to form a new political organization to counter the influence of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The decision was made following a two hour-long meeting held at the residence of Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav. Six regional parties, which have come together to form a new party, besides Samajwadi, include Rashtriya Janata Dal, Janata Dal United, Indian National Lok Dal, Janata Dal (Secular) and Samajwadi Janata Party.

"Mulayam Singh Yadav will be the National president of the new party. Further, Mulayam Singh Yadav will also be the Parliamentary Board president of the newly formed party. A five member committee has been formed, which will decide about the name of the new party, its symbol and flag," Sharad Yadav, a senior Indian and Janata Dal United party politician told reporters after the meeting.

At his first press conference after being elected president of the newly formed party, Mulayam Singh Yadav attacked the Modi government.

"The BJP government has done nothing for the common people. Common people has been marginalized by the present government," he stressed.

The BJP won the 2014 Indian general election with an outright majority in the Parliament. Narendra Modi, the BJP parliamentary leader, became prime minister on May 26, 2014.