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The Congress’ appreciation of the government’s conciliatory efforts on the issue of the Goods and Services Tax Bill and the willingness to hold a debate on intolerance is being seen as a temporary truce between the two parties ahead of the Winter Session of Parliament beginning here on Thursday.
Talking to reporters after an all-party meeting convened by him, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was present at the meeting, said there was a need for all political parties to work together to enable Parliament to function to the expectations of the people of the country. “Prime Minister expressed happiness over leaders of various parties favouring smooth functioning of Parliament during the Winter Session,” Naidu said.
He added that Modi said Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will talk to leaders of different parties regarding GST Bill.
On the Paris Conference on Climate Change, Modi added that Minister of Environment, Forests and Climate Change Prakash Javdekar held discussions with various parties on the matter and urged them to convey their suggestions and views over the next two days.
Good beginning: CongressTalking to reporters after the meeting, Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad said “the beginning was very good”. He was happy that the Centre accepted their suggestion that a resolution be moved on the commitment to the Constitution. This, after a two-day special sitting to discuss the Constitution and its maker BR Ambedkar on his 125th birth anniversary. “The government has accepted this suggestion,” Azad said.
On the issue of intolerance, the Left parties have also moved a resolution. Though the Chair has accepted it, the government seems to have a problem with its wording. The government, rather than passing a resolution, favours a debate on the matter. “We are ready for a debate on intolerance. Government has nothing to feel shy about it,” Naidu said after an all-party meeting convened and chaired by Speaker of Lok Sabha Sumitra Mahajan.
The Left parties believe there exists a ‘match-fixing’ between the Congress and the BJP on key legislations, including the GST.
“Why this obsession with one Bill? Is the GST bill a panacea? Government managers since May 2014 are harping on Insurance, GST and Land Bills,” said CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury.
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