Successive governments tried to bring in Goods and Services Tax (GST) bill and make it an act which will benefit the country speeding the country's economy. However political parties and state governments didnot reach a consensus on the bill.
It was blocked for many years first by the BJP and at that time BJP blamed the adamant and arrogant Congress led UPA government for not agreeing to the suggestive changes and Congress expressed its helplessness on coalition politics.
People expected the change in regime and absolute majority for Modi will help in the smooth passage of the bill. But what shocked many is Congress party which tried to pass the same bill blocked it for two years only as its ego was hurt.
Though BJP tried passing it with force in Lok Sabha, Congress stalled it in Rajya Sabha. However with in two years PM Modi stunned opposition,especially Congress with his masterstroke on GST. Modi and Arun Jaitley first isolated and then negotiated changing the strategy which played dividends.
They built coalition among 29 state governments to isolate the disruptive Congress party. He agreed to their demands accepting, verbatim, a clause they proposed for the constitutional amendment as member of Congress team that included former Finance Minister Chindambaram.
Finance official, explaining Congress predicament said "They had got themselves into a corner," and added "They had two options: strike a deal and come out with your reputation intact, or lose your credibility." India's GST bill came as a boon for world economy which was reeling under Brexit from European Union.
