'Public pressure' forced PM to invite Sonia, Manmohan for talks: Rahul Gandhi

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Friday asserted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited the opposition top brass under 'public pressure' as it is quite contrary to his regular style of functioning.

"It is quite natural that they should talk to the opposition, but the Prime Minister has invited Sonia Gandhi and Manmohan Singh only after public pressure. This was not his intent and this is not the way he functions," Gandhi told the media here.

Talking about the impasse over the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill, he added that the Congress was clear on its position and had three differences with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He added that there would be further progress on the landmark reform only after the government fulfils the demands put forth by the Congress.

"It's possible the impasse will end after they hear our demands. We brought the GST, it was our initiative and we want it to be passed. But we have our demands with the government which are three main differences. We want a cap on the tax as we don't want the poor to pay any taxes," Gandhi said.

The three demands by Congress over the Bill are that they want to cap the rate of GST at less than 20 percent, scrap a proposed state levy and create an independent mechanism to resolve disputes on revenue sharing between states.

Prime Minister Modi has invited Sonia Gandhi and his predecessor Dr. Manmohan Singh for tea today, in a move aimed at reaching out to the opposition to discuss the smooth functioning of the Parliament and bring an end to the impasse over the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill.