The Congress on Wednesday struck a positive note on the GST bill, saying its support to the government in the passage of legislations would be issue-based and on merits, notwithstanding the BJP’s “ope
The Congress on Wednesday struck a positive note on the GST bill, saying its support to the government in the passage of legislations would be issue-based and on merits, notwithstanding the BJP’s “open threats” to topple party governments in the backdrop of the Uttarakhand developments.
The party’s senior spokesman Anand Sharma told reporters that there cannot be any cooperation possible with the government as it has continued unabated its “politics of confrontation” with the Opposition.
“There is a world of difference between Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s precept and practice. He talks of cooperative federalism, but does exactly the opposite. In such a situation, any sort of cooperation is not possible,” Mr Sharma said.
Attacking the government for proroguing the Budget Session of Parliament to help promulgate an ordinance on Uttarakhand, which has been brought under President’s Rule, he said it showed the “mindset” of the Modi dispensation of pulling down non-BJP governments first and then coming up with such actions.
Asked whether his statements meant that there cannot be any cooperation on the key reform measure GST, which the government planned to bring in the next session, Mr Sharma remarked “it will be issue-based, considering the merits”.
At the same time, he made it clear that there cannot be any constructive political engagement with the government.
Mr Sharma’s statement is significant as it came a day after finance minister Arun Jaitley had said that he agrees with the Congress demand that the proposed GST rate should not go beyond 18 per cent, brightening early prospects of the passage of the legislation.
“I am in agreement with them that the taxation rate must be reasonable. I also agree with the spirit of suggestion that it should not go beyond 18 per cent. I have no difficulty with that,” Mr Jaitley had said.
Mr Sharma’s statement also indicated that there has been divergence of view inside Congress on the issue.
Reports quoting former Union minister Jairam Ramesh had it that “The BJP should not expect any help when they are murdering democracy in Arunachal Pradesh, followed by Uttarakhand. The NDA government has vitiated the atmosphere in Parliament”.
