 "Modi_Sonia")
Reaching out to main opposition, Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Manmohan Singh to discuss important issues like passage of Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill in the current session of parliament.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Minister of Urban Development and Parliamentary Affairs Venkaiah Naidu also attended the meeting. Jaitley told the media post the meet that Venkaiah Naidu would also meet the opposition leaders of both the houses to ensure smooth running of the parliament.
This meet was significant as the Government and the Congress are at loggerheads which is stalling the passage of crucial legislations.
This meeting was widely anticipated as earlier in the day Jaitley had said, "We have absolutely no hesitation even at the level of Prime Minister. We have never had in it in the past, we don't have it (now). He is willing to speak to everyone," he had said.
Congress had stalled passage of the GST Constitution Amendment Bill in the last session of Parliament over its demand that a revenue-neutral rate not higher than 18% be mentioned in it. It is also opposed to states being given powers to levy additional 1% tax on supply of goods over and above GST rate.
