GST launch lays bare cracks in opposition unity

NEW DELHI: A special midnight function in the Central Hall of Parliament underlined the cracks that opposition parties will have to manage if they want to build a common platform against the NDA government. The event for the launch of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) saw some opposition parties in attendance and others conspicuous by absence.
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The NCP, JD(S) and the Samajwadi Party were among the opposition parties that attended the launch function.Their presence was at odds with the decision of other opposition parties to skip the event.
Congress, Trinamool, Left, DMK, BSP and RJD were among the parties that boycotted the event.
The effort of 17 opposition parties to come together to form a united platform against the NDA government seemed to be under strain.
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Take for instance the presence of NCP chief Sharad Pawar, along with Praful Patel and Tariq Anwar. The NCP has been a key fixture in the UPA, but chose to split ways when it came to attendance at the function.
Anwar said his party his party’s decision to attend the function was rooted in its support for GST. “We agree with the Congress to an extent, but we supported the legislation when it was introduced (in Parliament and state assemblies). The party has hence decided to attend the midnight meeting," he said.
The Samajwadi Party took a similar line. “When we supported the bill in Parliament, then why would we not attend this function to launch GST?” asked senior Samajwadi leader Ram Gopal Yadav.
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However, there were other reasons as well for an opposition party to disagree with the decision of the Congress, Left, et al. JD (S) leader Danish Ali had on Thursday said the Congress should have called a meeting of all 17 opposition parties to decide on a common approach.
He had also criticised the Congress for making a decision without consulting the other parties. The JD (S) had decided to attend the event as its leader HD Deve Gowda had been invited to the dais in his capacity as a former Prime Minister.
Eighteen opposition parties had come together to attempt to put up a joint candidate for the coming Presidential election. The JD (U) has already broken ranks. And the difference that have risen to view between the remaining members is a barometer of the diverse opinions that will need to be managed or bridged.
(With inputs from PTI)
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