MODI ASSURES TRADERS OF RESOLVING GST ISSUES
Challenges Congress to fight polls on development plank
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday assured traders that problems related to the goods and services tax (GST) regime would be resolved soon.
Addressing more than 700,000 Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers at Bhat, Modi said, “All GST-related issues will be resolved soon. I am confident that our traders will understand. I am assuring them. This is my promise.”
Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah were in Ahmedabad to address the Gujarat Gaurav Mahasammelan rally, which concluded the Gujarat Gaurav Yatra that the party had launched across the state on October 1.
The prime minister said the Congress was spreading misinformation. “Tax-related issues are not decided by me or the central government. All states are represented here. So the Congress should not spread misinformation. Congress is an equal partner in GST decisions and it should not spread lies about GST. The decision was not taken by Parliament or Narendra Modi.”
Alleging that Congress hated development, Modi said, “Congress has never fought elections on the development plank. They are afraid that they may not get votes from a developed society. Those questioning us on the development of Gujarat must recall what their contribution has been to the state's progress. They tried to blame us on all fronts. When nothing worked, they started blaming development. I challenge them to fight elections on the development plank.”
Referring to Congress leaders, including party president Sonia Gandhi and her deputy Rahul Gandhi being on bail in the National Herald case, Modi said, “The whole party is on bail.”
He said the Congress and the Nehru-Gandhi family disliked Gujarat and Gujaratis. “Gujarat polls are round the corner and the Congress has developed fever once again. Gujarat has been an eyesore for the party and the family. I won't repeat what they did to Sardar Patel, his daughter Maniben, and Morarji Desai. They did not speak about the work of Morarji Desai or his dedication and commitment to Mahatma Gandhi's ideals. They instead chose to talk about what he ate and drank,” he said, referring to the former prime minister's fondness for urine therapy.
The prime minister also talked about the government analysing data on black money, even as shell companies were being investigated. "Over 200,000 companies have been shut down. More are being investigated. Should I let go of the thieves?" he asked.
Criticising Congress' social media campaign, Vikas gando thayo chhe (development has gone crazy), Shah said development was a joke for the Congress while for the BJP it was a mindset.