GST a nuisance? Why didn't Rahul Gandhi say so in Parliament, asks BJP

Reform that holds great potential is being rushed through in a half-baked way, Rahul tweeted

Rahul Gandhi, Congress Vice President, Congress
Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi addressing the media at the TNCC office in Chennai on Sunday. (Photo: PTI)
ANI Bengaluru/Kolkata
Last Updated : Jul 01 2017 | 10:05 AM IST

Tearing into Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi for claiming that the Good and Services Tax (GST) "is being executed by an incompetent and insensitive government", the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday said that the grand old party needs to rise above politics and avoid making such irresponsible statements.

BJP leader S Praksah said the people never did and will never resent to such irresponsible statements from a responsible political party.

"Till yesterday, they were claiming the GST is their contribution to the country. And today when it has become a reality, they are speaking about small traders and businessmen as they did when the demonetisation was undertaken. Even then people didn't resent to such irresponsible statements and even today they will not resent to such irresponsible behaviour from a responsible political party. They need to rise above politics. They should join hands with the government when a biggest economic reform is about to take place. They should stand with the government and people rather than politicising the whole matter," he told ANI.

Another BJP leader Rahul Sinha questioned Rahul Gandhi's silence when the matter was discussed and debated in both the Houses of Parliament.

"Why didn't Rahul Gandhi think of it before? Why didn't he say all this before? Even in the Parliament it was discussed and debated by all political parties, why did he kept quiet then? No one has any right to say anything now," he said.

He further said that by protesting now they (Congress) are protesting against the country's development and against the people.

"With such small thinking, people cannot do such big thing for the country," he added.

Hours before the midnight rollout of the GST, Rahul Gandhi on Friday said that it is a reform that holds great potential, but is being rushed through in a half-baked spectacle by an incompetent government.

"A reform that holds great potential is being rushed through in a half-baked way with a self-promotional spectacle #GSTTamasha," Gandhi tweeted.
 




 

The historic launch of GST was done at the Central Hall of Parliament where President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the new regime by pressing the button.

*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Jul 01 2017 | 9:57 AM IST

Next Story