Ready for ‘intolerance’ debate in Parliament: Naidu

Another party leader Randeep Singh Surjewala later added, “We’re ready to negotiate on all issues, provided the talks are conducted in a structured manner”.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will lead the government’s outreach to the Opposition parties to win support for the passage of Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill. The correct way to contest government’s policies is through civilised debate – not the absence of it. Both the ruling NDA and opposition parties should practise responsible parliamentary politics and strive not to derail India’s development agenda.

“It was also made a decision to have a dialogue with the Congress party with regard to GST and find a way out for getting it approved in Parliament”, Naidu told the media here. The Congress want a discussion and a reply from the prime minister on the issue. “It is not a one way traffic in which the Opposition supports all the measures irrespective of their deficiencies and government fails to amend them”.

“There is nothing wrong for an opposition party to have different view on any issue, but the only thing is that it should be constructive”.

Meanwhile, the government saw a glimmer of hope in Rahul Gandhi’s interaction with college students in Bengaluru on Wednesday.

Yechury said he has given a notice in Rajya Sabha seeking passage of a one-line resolution by the House condemning the incidents of “intolerance” and asking the government to ensure that such incidents do not happen again.

“Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will speak to all parties to address their doubt on GST legislation”, Naidu, quoting Modi, said.In his various trips overseas, PM Modi has assured the foreign investors of making the GST a reality by 2016.

Giving details of the government business for the winter session, Naidu said that in consultation with various ministries, 38 items have been identified of which 22 items have been prioritised. Since the GST is a constitution amendment bill, it needs two-third majority of both the Houses and then should be ratified by the Assemblies of not less than one-half of the states to become a law.

Mr Naqvi said, “Passing bills such as the GST and the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Bill, 2013 is crucial for the economic growth”.

“And when the tariff rate has to be mentioned in the Constitution itself, it is a flawed architecture because the GST with flawed architecture can actually damage the system much more than it can benefit”, he said.

Congress sources suggested the government could even call leaders of parties opposed to the GST for a meeting and hear out their concerns. The outcry over intolerance, the Dadri lynching, BJP’s inability to rein in Hindutva hotheads who regularly come out with communally inflammatory statements are all likely to feature prominently in parliamentary debate.