While the government said that it wants to have a fruitful budget session and pass important legislations, the Congress complained the government was only "using optics and was not serious about business".
Despite parliamentary affairs minister Venkaiah Naidu calling on Congress president Sonia Gandhi over GST and other important business to ensure a smooth Budget session, the stand-off between the government and the main Opposition Congress continues.
While the government said that it wants to have a fruitful budget session and pass important legislations, the Congress complained the government was only "using optics and was not serious about business".
"We have already raised our demands on GST with the government. Our stand remains the same. We have not yet got anything in writing from the government," said senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal.
Sibal also said that both Congress and finance minister Arun Jaitley believe that it is better not to have a GST than having a flawed one. The chief economic adviser to the government also agreed to the suggestions made by the Congress party. "They (government) are not welling to compromise. The truth is that the Swadeshi Jagran Manch and the RSS are opposing the bill, but the government is blaming the Congress. The government should address our demands in writing," he said.
Earlier during the day Naidu had met Gandhi at her residence. The meeting lasted for about 20 minutes.
Sources said Naidu told Gandhi that issues raised by the Congress in respect of GST bill were considered by the government and the government's position was communicated to Congress leaders earlier. Gandhi did not assure him of her party's support.
"Sonia said they (Congress) will discuss among themselves and take a final decision," Naidu said after the meeting.
Sibal also took a jibe at Prime Minister Modi over government's decision of pumping in additional funds to MGNREGA, a scheme which the BJP as an opposition was extremely critical of. "Modi ji has the habit of opposing all good things, till the time he is not the author. He opposed MGNREGA calling it a monumental failure. Now they are giving funds for it, realising the grim situation in rural areas," said Sibal.
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