GST still at stake, courtesy intolerance: Congress

Dated 5th November, 2015

Congress feels that intolerance is the main concern that the country is facing presently. Hence, according to the party, the circumstances are not conducive for a discussion on Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill. With this observation, the party has initiated political discussions prior to the winter session of the Parliament.

This is in response to the eagerness BJP had expressed to hold discussions with Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on passing the Bill which, according to the party, is required for the pressing economic reforms. Through this gesture Congress warns of creating roadblocks for the Bill.

Party, in the past, had taken an interim stand to pass the bill with some amendments. But now it is of the view that even with these amendments the bill will not be allowed to get through.

Need of the hour is to resolve the increasing issues of intolerance in the country, not passing the bills, said Congress spokesperson Anand Sharma. The other day, Congress president Sonia Gandhi and party leaders had held a march from the Parliament House to Rashtrapathi Bhavan. Party went to the streets on the tolerance issue after so many persons from various walks of life including writers and scientists came out in the open.

In the winter session, Government gives priority to GST Bill. In the last session, opposition parties had stalled the proceedings demanding the resignation of some BJP minsters and chief minsters in certain issues. GST Bill was entangled in the stormy session. It is in this situation that the Finance Minister Arun Jaitley is keen to talk to Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi instead of its house leaders Gulam Nabi Asad in Rajya Sabha and Mallikarjun Kharge in Lok Sabha.

Issues in the last session have been pushed to the background bringing tolerance to the fore as the key contention. Congress also plans to assemble all the political parties under one umbrella against the increasing extremist rightism of BJP.