Manmohan facilitates smooth passage of GST Bills in the Rajya Sabha

Other Opposition parties were surprised that Congress changed its mind within a week

Congress Member of Parliament Jairam Ramesh on Thursday withdrew an amendment to highlight how the Rajya Sabha was being taken for granted by the government, after former prime minister Manmohan Singh asked him to do so. Singh told him it would disturb the fine balance in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council. 

After the GST Bill was passed by the upper House, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley walked over to the Opposition benches and thanked them, particularly Singh for the gesture.

Other Opposition parties were, however, surprised that Congress, which had moved similar amendments in the Lok Sabha, changed its mind within a week.

Other Opposition members also moved amendments, but these were defeated by voice vote — except two. Trinamool Congress (TMC) member Derek O’Brien and Communist Party of India (Marxist) members Tapan Kumar Sen and T K Rangarajan moved several amendments, and demanded voting on two. 

There was also rare bonhomie on display between arch-rivals TMC and CPM. For O’Brien’s amendment, while the rest of the House voted against it, CPM members abstained. TMC members returned the gesture during the vote on CPM members’ amendment.

Sen said, “These are valid points. We felt we should not oppose these.”