Government signals it’s ready for Rajya Sabha test on GST

The government appears to have succeeded in making a dent in Opposition unity by taking the Trinamul Congress, Samajwadi Party, JD(U), BJD, BSP and the NCP on board on the GST bill, thereby sending out a message to the main Opposition Congress that it is ready for a trial of strength on the issue in the Rajya Sabha.

The government is hopeful of passage of this bill in the current session of Parliament, claiming 30 of the 32 parties have supported it. “We are making efforts for its passage. The public mood is almost one-sided in favour of the GST,” parliamentary affairs minister M. Venkaiah Naidu said. He said he, along with finance minister Arun Jaitley, has already talked to the Congress leaders in the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha, Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad and Mr Mallikarjun Kharge, after the all-party meeting on Wednesday and discussed the GST with them as well as the issues raised by them. The Congress leaders wanted to discuss the issue with the party leadership and sought time before they get back to the government in a day or two, after which government will seek to address the concerns. “Substantial issues have already been discussed,” he said.

Mr Naidu claimed that of the total 32 parties represented at the all-party meet, 30 were in favour of the legislation and wanted its early passage.

The Mayawati-led BSP and the Sharad Pawar-led NCP have already extended their support to the bill and want it to be passed in the current session.

The government is also keen that the Congress is on board in the passage of the Constitution amendment bill as it is primarily a Congress bill. “We want to take the Congress along. That is our motive,” he said, adding that the Congress did not oppose the bill in the Lok Sabha but did so in the Rajya Sabha due to political reasons.

NCP leader Praful Patel said: “We are in favour of GST. It should be passed in this session. If some good suggestions come, the government should be open to incorporate those.” BSP supremo Mayawati said: “The government is saying that the implementation of GST will improve the economy. It is in the interest of the country. We will, therefore, support this.”