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Vijayan supports Modi on GST; CPM waters down its stand

CPM divided house on GST

  Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's support to Modi government on Good and Services Tax (GST) has left the Communist Party central leadership red-faced. The CPM had raised many objections on the GST Bill earlier, but with Kerala leader supporting the Centre on the bill, the party has watered down its opposition and issued a muted statement that demanded the Central Government to try for a consensus on the matter. 

 

Earlier, Kerala Finance Minister Thomas Isaac had stated that he did not find any reason in blocking the GST. Vijayan also echoed his views and clarified that the Left government in Kerala supports the new tax regime. 

 

The CPM had objected to some of the proposals of the GST Bill, but the Kerala Government has no objections, Vijayan had said. 
 

Also read: Kerala FM all praises for Kejriwal
 

The CPM Central Committee discussed the statements of the Kerala Chief Minister and Finance Minister and demanded the Union Government  find consensus on the bill. The Government should convene an all-party meeting discuss the bill, it urged. 

 

Earlier, when the GST was considered by a Parliament Subject Committee, CPM member KN Balagopal had proposed amendments. Earlier, the CPM had objected to the GST alleging that it will affect the federal structure of the country. The state governments will be left with fewer options to collect resources once the GST is implemented. Besides, the states will have to depend on the Centre for welfare schemes and disaster relief, the party had said. 

 

But the Kerala leaders, who are pressed with practical problems of resource mobilisation and governance than the ideological headaches of the party, feel that the GST will benefit consumer states like Kerala.

 

It seems the Central leadership of the CPM has now diluted its position on GST as the pragmatists in the party won the battle over the ideologists. 

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