In a Fresh Attack on Modi Govt, Rahul Takes Credit for GST Reforms

Seeking to take credit for the Centre's decision to reduce the GST rates on a number of items, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi said he would not rest till the five-slab "Gabbar Singh Tax" was converted into the "Goods and Services Tax" with an 18-per cent cap. While addressing a rally at Gandhinagar's Chiloda Circle, the Congress Vice President said that GST was rolled out without asking anyone and that they rolled it back and reformed it only after the country and the Congress pressurized them to do so.

We pressured, the people of Gujarat, small shopkeepers put pressure and I am happy to say that Arun Jaitley ji has shifted many items to the 18-percent slab from the 28-percent tax bracket under the GST

Rahul Gandhi said while addressing a rally at Gandhinagar

Appearing confident that the Congress will win the next general elections, he also said that if the BJP does not reduce the GST tax slab to 18%, ‘they will do it in 2019.’ He also said India doesn't need five different tax slabs and GST regime needs a structural overhaul.

The GST cap should be at 18 percent. If they (Centre) do not do it, we will put pressure on them, and if they still do not do it, we will do it soon after forming the government.

Rahul Gandhi said while addressing a rally at Gandhinagar

Giving credit for the reforms to Gandhi, Congress general secretary in-charge of Gujarat, Ashok Gehlot told PTI that the GST Council yesterday decided to cut the tax rates due to the pressure mounted by Gandhi and the "huge response" he had been receiving in poll-bound Gujarat. Gehlot claimed the GST Council brought the changes in tax rates with an eye on votes in Gujarat.

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Congress leader Pawan Khera also said that the credit should be given to Gandhi.

There was a pressure from Rahul Gandhi. The Gabbar Singh Tax went so much viral in Gujarat that the BJP did not know how to deal with it.

Congress Leader Pawan Khera

Gujarat, the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has been under the BJP's rule for over two decades and the Congress is trying to oust it from power. Congress leaders, particularly Gandhi, have made the GST and demonetisation as key issues of their campaign.

(With inputs from PTI)

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