Anti-Cong forum Samata Manch launched

Samata Manch, an anti-Congress forum launched by several associates of ailing socialist leader George Fernandes, today held its maiden convention and decided to hold rallies and meetings in state capitals in the coming months to build an anti-Congress platform.
Manch convener Shambhu Srivastava, a former JD(U) leader and aide of Fernandes, said they are keen on electoral tie-up with BJP to defeat Congress.
He said leaders belonging to the non-Congress parties in every state would be invited to their meetings, saying there is need to mobilise non-Congress forces to end "UPA misrule".
Former BJP chief Nitin Gadkari was the guest of honour at the convention on "Current National Scenario and Alternative" and assured the Manch of his party's full support.

Srivastava said non-Congress and non-BJP parties finally end up taking side of Congress but "we are strictly anti-Congress".
"Congress is misusing the concept of secularism as an excuse to cover up its misgovernance...They are using secularism as a pressure to keep regional leaders with them. We socialists have never compromised on secularism...But at the same time we will never condone the sins of Congress in the name of secularism," a resolution adopted at the meeting said.
Leaders present expressed grave concern over the crisis of confidence and governance gripping the country today.
"Unprecedented corruption is prevalent at the topmost echelons of the government. Rising prices have made the lives of common people miserable. Jobs are scarce and manufacturing sector is declining," the resolution said.