Narendra Modi reaches out to Opposition parties on GST

New Delhi: Displaying a consensual approach towards the Opposition parties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday sought their cooperation in the passage of the much-delayed Goods and Services Tax Bill, even as they asserted that the government will be targeted over the recent developments in Arunachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir during the Monsoon Session of Parliament that begins on Monday.

With sparks sure to fly in Parliament over a range of issues, Mr Modi also urged all political parties to keep the national interest above all other considerations.

“We represent both the people and parties and there is a need to keep the national interest above anything else,” he said on Sunday.

At an all-party meeting convened by the government a day before Parliament meets, the Congress said it would support bills on the basis of “merit”, but gave no specific assurance on the GST Bill, saying it could take a decision only after the government gives it a “written draft” over the concerns it had raised earlier.

Noting that several important bills, including GST, will be taken up in the session, Mr Modi expressed the hope that there would be meaningful discussions and outcomes.

Parties stand as one to end Kashmir fight
“The issue is not about which government would get credit for the introduction of GST, what is important is the passage of the Bill,” he said.

With the continuing protests in Kashmir following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani expected to generate heat in Parliament, Mr Modi commended the political parties for speaking in “one voice” over the issue. “Various parties have given statements on the Kashmir events, which benefited the country. This has sent the right message and I thank all the parties for the same,” he said.

The growing incidents of terror attacks in different parts of the world and their implications on India, foreign policy, floods in states like Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand are among the issues which could come up for discussion during the Monsoon Session.

The government’s legislative agenda includes taking up 16 Bills, including three to replace ordinances. Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad said there should be a discussion in Parliament on the tense situation in Kashmir and the government should provide an answer. The government’s unsuccessful NSG bid, floods in some states, agrarian crisis and terrorism were among the other issues raised by the Opposition leaders at Sunday’s meeting. Though he did not refer to GST directly, Mr Azad said the Congress will offer support to bills on merit.