While Congress boycotts launch of Goods and Services Tax, BJP gets NCP and Shiv Sena on board

Mumbai city news: Opposition parties said earlier this week they would boycott the GST rollout event, saying the country was unprepared for its implementation

The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) said on Friday it would attend the government’s Goods and Services Tax (GST) midnight launch event at Parliament’s Central Hall — even with ally Congress and other opposition parties boycotting it.

NCP chief Sharad Pawar(HT File Photo)

NCP Rajya Sabha MP Majeed Memon said, “The NCP has decided to attend the GST rollout event in Delhi. We are not boycotting the launch.”

In another boost to the BJP-led government at the Centre, its warring ally Shiv Sena also said it supported the single-tax regime.

Opposition parties said earlier this week they would boycott the GST rollout event, and said the country was not prepared for its implementation.

Trinamool Congress chief and West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee was the first to announce she won’t attend the midnight function. The Congress, DMK and Left parties followed.

But senior NCP leader and former civil aviation minister Praful Patel said in a series of tweets: “All parties unanimously passed the GST in Parliament. The state governments of different parties approved the rates. Now, why is there so much fuss over the launch function?”

The NCP’s spokesperson Nawab Malik said his party too was concerned about how the new regime will be implemented, but added, “Boycotting the launch doesn’t make sense when all parties unanimously approved the GST bill.” NCP chief Pawar enjoys a good rapport with the BJP’s leadership, including PM Narendra Modi, and has extended support to the government earlier too.

The Sena had issues with the new tax regime, fearing it will hit the revenue of the Sena-controlled Mumbai civic body.

The BMC relies on the octroi tax that will be replaced now by the GST.

On Friday, Sena’s Sanjay Raut, said, “The government has the Sena’s backing. All our issues were addressed and there is no reason to oppose. Our party MPs may attend the launch.”