BJP, Congress to Meet Today to Build Consensus on GST Bill

A day before the crucial Goods and Servives Tax (GST) bill is tabled in Parliament, senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress leaders will meet to iron out differences over the bill.

The meeting is the Centre's last attempt to convince Congress in favour of the bill. "The problem is that Jaitley wants to divide the opposition and wants to corner others. They are delaying the matter. Our leaders are ready to pass the bill," Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said.

Government has listed the Constitutional Amendment Bill for introduction of GST in Rajya Sabha for consideration and passage this week.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has expressed confidence over getting the long-pending Goods and Services Tax bill passed in Parliament. "We are getting constitution amended for GST on which discussions have been on since long...since Congress' time. I am confident that we will do those amendments and pass the GST," Singh said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had met his top Cabinet colleagues to firm up the strategy for the passage of the GST bill in the Rajya Sabha.