Narendra Modi proposes, Opposition disposes

Parliament monsoon session from today

New Delhi : Reaching out to the Opposition, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday sought its cooperation in the passage of GST Bill even as it asserted that government will be targeted over developments in Arunachal Pradesh and Kashmir during Parliament's Monsoon Session starting Monday.

As sparks are set to fly in Parliament over a range of issues, Modi also urged all the political parties to keep national interests above any other considerations. "We represent both the people and parties and there is a need to keep national interests above anything else".

At an all-party meeting convened by the government a day before Parliament meet, the Congress said it will support Bills but based on merit but offered no assurance on the GST, saying it can take a stand only after the government gives it a "written draft" over concerns raised by it.

The Prime Minister's pitch followed several talks between his BJP-led Central government and its main rival, the Congress to settle differences over tax reform legislation stalled in parliament for years. But it is not just the Bills, the monsoon session of Parliament takes place, when there is chaos in valley, with number of civilian killed has risen to 40.

Many are questioning the handling both the state and centre, where BJP has high stakes. While Congress will also raise pitch about Arunachal government. Many of the non NDA allies have rallied behind the cause on the Centre government interference. "There is a lack of trust between the states and the Centre. How can you proceed in this context," Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said.

More trouble was hinted by the left leader Sitaram Yechury tore into Modi government saying, the BJP has only bothered about taking views of congress party, while the government need to speak to all political parties including the left.

Besides the political developments in Arunachal Pradesh, where a Congress dispensation has made a comeback, the Narendra Modi government’s decision to seek a report from the Law Commission on the proposal for introducing a Uniform Civil Code is likely to make the session a tempestuous affair.

On the other hand, the government is hopeful of a breakthrough on the key GST bill, which it wants passed during the session, following a recent meeting between senior Ministers and top Congress leaders. The two sides are likely to meet again during the session.