GST Bill: BJP, Congress issue whip asking MPs to be present in Rajya Sabha today

With the GST bill set to be tabled in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, the Congress on Tuesday issed a three-line whip asking its members to be present in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday. Earlier on Monday, the BJP issued a whip to its members asking them to be present in the House for the next three days during which the party expects the legislation to be passed.

Party sources said the whip was issued in connection with the key reform bill, which has been high on the government’s agenda but stalled by Congress over some provisions. The BJP-led NDA lacks a majority in the Upper House but has managed to get support of several regional parties on the GST bill.

To bring Congress on board, the government last week cleared changes in the constitutional amendment bill, including doing away with the additional 1 per cent tax by producing states and compensating all states for any revenue loss in the first five years post the GST roll out.

The main Opposition party, which has the most numbers in the Rajya Sabha, has indicated softening of its stand but made no categorical assurance of its support so far.

BJP parliamentary party is also meeting tomorrow and senior ministers may brief the members about the bill and other important issues on the agenda in the coming days.