With a section of the Opposition indicating it would skip the special session on June 30 in the Central Hall of Parliament to roll-out the Goods and Services Tax (GST), Union Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu on Monday asked the political parties to rise above politics and extend their full support to the legislation.
"The GST is a very important tax reform. Undoubtedly, there will be teething troubles initially. But, I assure you that the council will take them up and overcome any obstacles they are faced with. I would like to appeal to all those concerned to rise above parties and politics, and extend their full support," he said.
Earlier, a speculation about Opposition boycotting the special session gathered momentum with CPI (M) leader Sitaram Yechury saying his party has not issued any whip for the special meeting, meaning it is not mandatory for its MPs to attend the session. He, however, maintained the CPI (M) will not boycott.
Yechury later tweeted asking, ""Why this unseemly hurry with GST before putting systems in placeIJ After all, BJP opposed it for several years, especially then CM, Gujarat (sic)," Yechury tweeted.
Samajwadi Party's Rajya Sabha MP Naresh Agarwal termed the GST Bill 'anti-traders'. "What does the government want to prove by rolling out GST on June 30 midnightIJ Nehruji announced our freedom at stroke of midnight, this government is announcing that small traders will be made slaves through GST," said Agarwal.
Congress said it is deliberating on all aspects. "All we can say at the moment is that deliberations are on in the party. Congress President Sonia Gandhi, former PM Dr Manmohan Singh and other senior leaders will decide what will be party's stand," said Congress party's communication department chief Randeep Surjewala.