The government is not going to bring the GST bill for consideration and passage during the Budget Session of Parliament. This is the feedback that the Opposition is getting from government managers and the ruling BJP.
“The government will not be bringing the GST bill due to division in the BJP and stiff opposition from the RSS,” a top Opposition leader claimed here, saying that the controversial bill could affect the political constituency of the BJP and also the GDP.
Among the non-NDA parties, the Left has been consistent in its opposition while the main Opposition Congress is ready to support the bill if its three suggestions are incorporated. While the Trinamul Congress, Samajwadi Party, JD(U), BJD and the NCP have no opposition to the bill per se, the AIADMK has not diluted its opposition so far. The government has been blaming the Congress for blocking the bill but the revelation of the RSS’ opposition, as claimed by a top non-NDA leader, would be a significant development and a possible setback to the government.
The Congress will be aggressive in Parliament in raising the Pathankot airbase attack, growing atrocities against dalits, corruption in BJP-ruled states and developments in Arunachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. The Trinamul Congress, Left and Dravidian parties too will be aggressive as they cannot be perceived as being friendly with the government due to the coming Assembly elections in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry, while the role of the Samajwadi Party and the BSP will be interesting to watch on the floor.
Meanwhile, rebel Congress leaders in Arunachal Pradesh met party vice-president Rahul Gandhi here the other day. The meeting has opened a channel with them and if the Congress manages their support by assuring them appropriate steps at the appropriate time, then the current stalemate could end, sources said.
