GST, a poll plank that BJP will milk in the future

New Delhi: For the ruling BJP, GST is going to be another poll plank that it will be using extensively during coming Assembly elections, including in Gujarat, a state dominated by traders. Though the party admits that there will be initial hiccups but has asserted that the GST regime will bring uniformity in the system, benefiting traders, business sector, economy and the common man.

It could be mentioned that the BJP had aggressively used the demonetisation issue during last Assembly elections, including in Uttar Pradesh elections, to attack the Opposition parties for being against a decision to curb corruption and black money. To promote this new tax regime, the ruling BJP has deployed its leadership, including Union ministers, in states.  

The BJP-ruled states have been asked to hold workshops and sessions on the positives of the GST and how it will benefit the common man and have been asked to heavily promote this “One Nation One Tax” regime.

The ruling party has asked its spokespersons and panellists participating on news channels, including regional channels, to aggressively promote this new tax regime and its benifits. The BJP’s traders cell also swing into action to take on the likes of Trinamul chief and West Bengal chief minister, Ms Mamata Banerjee, who had been steadfastly opposing the new tax regime.

Sources disclosed that the BJP is also planning to use the boycott of the launch function of the GST by some Opposition parties, including the Congress, as their stand against a simplified tax regime to benefit the common man for “pure politics.”

“Apprehensions about any new step is natural... but political parties should refrain from create havoc around GST... I am not saying every thing will be fine from the very first day, but we are prepared to address all issues concerning it,” said Union minister Prakash Javadekar.