Jaipur: BJP president Amit Shah on Saturday said his party had opposed GST while in Opposition but changed the track after coming to power. He said the party was against the manner in which UPA government had proposed the bill.
Meanwhile, on the perennial Ram temple issue, Mr Shah reiterated the old stance that the party is committed for the construction of the temple, but at the same time it want this to be done as per law.
Addressing a press conference on the second day of his three-day visit, the BJP president said the party was not against the GST, as such, instead “we were against the way it was drafted”. “The states were asking for 100 per cent compensation for the loss of revenue. Had the UPA government accepted this demand, the Act would have been passed at that time. Our government accepted it to clear a major hurdle and all the states came together to pass the bill,” he claimed.
However, Mr Shah was not so forthcoming on other tricky question of demonetisation, farmers’ problem, cow vigilantism and reservation. When asked about a survey by the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) that estimated loss of 1.5 million jobs due to demonetisation, he evaded the question saying he had not seen the survey. “I have not read it, besides it needs to be ascertained on what parameters the survey was conducted,” he said.
Replying to a question about agrarian crisis and farm-loan waiver, the BJP president said Union finance minister Arun Jaitley has made it crystal clear that it is a call of the state government, and they will have to do it from own resources. However, he refused to disclose anything about the discussion on farmers’ problem in the party, saying it is not for public consumption. “Yes, we have been discussing but this is not to be discussed on public forum,” he said.
On the issue of provision of creamy layer in reservation, Mr Shah deflected it saying all parties should discuss and take a collective decision on this matter. About cow vigilantism and mob lynching, he said the BJP-ruled states have enacted law against cow slaughter. But, when he was asked a question about Goa CM Manohar Parrikar’s statement that the government would ensure that there was no shortage of beef in the state, Mr Shah again feigned ignorance. “I have not read his statement. I do not know what he has said but when I visit the state I will speak to him about it,” he added.
On the perennial Ram temple issue, Mr Shah reiterated the old stance that the party is committed for the construction of the temple, but at the same time it want this to be done as per law.
On his meeting with Shankar Singh Vaghela, who broke ranks with the Congress, Mr Shah said it was a formal meeting. It should not be linked to politics. “There should not be an atmosphere in the country where meeting of two political leaders is seen with suspicion or political motives,” he said. While, replying to another question about Gujarat, he expressed confidence that the party will win 150 seats. “I have been saying this all along that we will 150 seats in Gujarat,” he added.
Mr Shah also showers praise on Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje for good work and said, “The party will return to power in Rajasthan”.
The BJP president categorically denied that there was ever a deliberation on replacing her while replying to a question on periodic speculations about her removal. “Vasundhara ji has pioneered many good schemes like Bhamashah and I have asked other chief ministers to follow it. She has been working as per public expectation,” he said.
