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Last Updated:<\/span>August 16, 2025, 21:16 IST<\/time><\/p>\nCongress and BJP engaged in war of words over PM Modi’s announcement of next-gen GST reforms and the Opposition claimed credit for the Prime Minister’s move.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\nGST reform: BJP vs Congress over PM Modi’s Independence Day promise (PTI Image)<\/p>\n<\/figure>\nA war of words broke out between the BJP and the Opposition over the latter\u2019s rush to take credit for Prime Minister Narendra Modi\u2019s Independence Day promise to bring next-generation GST reforms.<\/p>\nThe BJP slammed Congress for claiming credit for the proposed two-slab tax regime, down from the existing four, and reminded the party that its leader Rahul Gandhi dubbed GST as \u201cGabbar Singh Tax”. BJP leader Amit Malviya said that the Congress \u201crealises” that PM Modi\u2019s GST reforms are \u201cbound to succeed”, therefore the party wants to \u201crebrand their sabotage as support”.<\/p>\nGovt Vs Opposition Over GST 2.0 Plans<\/h2>\nThis comes after government sources said that the Centre has proposed to do away with the 12% and 28% GST slabs and proposes to keep 5% and 18% tax rates. Shortly after this, Congress leaders credited Rahul Gandhi for his old tweets and videos in which he sought GST reforms, limiting the rate to 18%.<\/p>\n\u201cNow these people are under so much pressure that they will now agree to everything @RahulGandhi says,” Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera said.<\/p>\nHitting back at the Congress party, Malviya said, \u201cWhen the Modi government delivered the constitutional amendment, Congress boycotted the historic GST midnight launch in Parliament. They couldn\u2019t bear to see Modi succeed where they had failed for a decade. Rahul Gandhi chose to degrade it as \u201cGabbar Singh Tax.” And now Congress has the audacity to claim credit for GST reform proposals by the Modi government.”<\/p>\n\n\nIf @INCIndia<\/a> is so full of \u201cGST ideas,” why did the UPA (2004\u201314) fail to implement GST for years?When the Modi government delivered the constitutional amendment, Congress boycotted the historic GST midnight launch in Parliament. They couldn\u2019t bear to see Modi succeed where\u2026 https:\/\/t.co\/cWa0YCN9r1<\/a><\/p>\n\u2014 Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) August 16, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\u201cThe real truth is GST succeeded despite Congress opposition, not because of it. The proposed two-slab structure represents continuous improvement by a government that actually delivers. Congress realises the PM\u2019s next-generation reform proposals are popular and bound to succeed, so now they want to rebrand their sabotage as support,” he added.<\/p>\nCongress Demands Discussion Paper On GST 2.0<\/h2>\nCongress MP Jairam Ramesh earlier said that the party had been demanding \u201cGST 2.0″ for over a year and a half and had included it in its 2024 Lok Sabha poll manifesto.<\/p>\n\u201cOver the last seven years, the spirit of GST has been vitiated by an increased number of rates and the granting of multiple exemptions. The structure also seems to have facilitated evasion. There must be a drastic reduction in the number of rates,” he said.<\/p>\nHe also demanded a discussion paper on GST 2.0.<\/p>\n\u201cThe Indian National Congress demands an official discussion paper on GST 2.0 very soon so that there can be an informed and wider debate on this vital and pressing national issue,” he said.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<\/span><\/p>\nAshesh Mallick<\/a><\/p>\nAshesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes…Read More<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nAshesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes… Read More<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nview comments<\/span><\/p>\nNews<\/a> politics<\/a> Congress Claims Credit For GST Reforms Plans, BJP Questions Opposition’s \u2018Audacity\u2019<\/span><\/div>\n\n\nDisclaimer: Comments reflect users\u2019 views, not News18\u2019s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use<\/a> and Privacy Policy<\/a>.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nRead More<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
GST reform: BJP vs Congress over PM Modi’s Independence Day promise (PTI Image)<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n
A war of words broke out between the BJP and the Opposition over the latter\u2019s rush to take credit for Prime Minister Narendra Modi\u2019s Independence Day promise to bring next-generation GST reforms.<\/p>\n
The BJP slammed Congress for claiming credit for the proposed two-slab tax regime, down from the existing four, and reminded the party that its leader Rahul Gandhi dubbed GST as \u201cGabbar Singh Tax”. BJP leader Amit Malviya said that the Congress \u201crealises” that PM Modi\u2019s GST reforms are \u201cbound to succeed”, therefore the party wants to \u201crebrand their sabotage as support”.<\/p>\n
This comes after government sources said that the Centre has proposed to do away with the 12% and 28% GST slabs and proposes to keep 5% and 18% tax rates. Shortly after this, Congress leaders credited Rahul Gandhi for his old tweets and videos in which he sought GST reforms, limiting the rate to 18%.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow these people are under so much pressure that they will now agree to everything @RahulGandhi says,” Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera said.<\/p>\n
Hitting back at the Congress party, Malviya said, \u201cWhen the Modi government delivered the constitutional amendment, Congress boycotted the historic GST midnight launch in Parliament. They couldn\u2019t bear to see Modi succeed where they had failed for a decade. Rahul Gandhi chose to degrade it as \u201cGabbar Singh Tax.” And now Congress has the audacity to claim credit for GST reform proposals by the Modi government.”<\/p>\n
\nIf @INCIndia<\/a> is so full of \u201cGST ideas,” why did the UPA (2004\u201314) fail to implement GST for years?When the Modi government delivered the constitutional amendment, Congress boycotted the historic GST midnight launch in Parliament. They couldn\u2019t bear to see Modi succeed where\u2026 https:\/\/t.co\/cWa0YCN9r1<\/a><\/p>\n\u2014 Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) August 16, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\u201cThe real truth is GST succeeded despite Congress opposition, not because of it. The proposed two-slab structure represents continuous improvement by a government that actually delivers. Congress realises the PM\u2019s next-generation reform proposals are popular and bound to succeed, so now they want to rebrand their sabotage as support,” he added.<\/p>\nCongress Demands Discussion Paper On GST 2.0<\/h2>\nCongress MP Jairam Ramesh earlier said that the party had been demanding \u201cGST 2.0″ for over a year and a half and had included it in its 2024 Lok Sabha poll manifesto.<\/p>\n\u201cOver the last seven years, the spirit of GST has been vitiated by an increased number of rates and the granting of multiple exemptions. The structure also seems to have facilitated evasion. There must be a drastic reduction in the number of rates,” he said.<\/p>\nHe also demanded a discussion paper on GST 2.0.<\/p>\n\u201cThe Indian National Congress demands an official discussion paper on GST 2.0 very soon so that there can be an informed and wider debate on this vital and pressing national issue,” he said.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<\/span><\/p>\nAshesh Mallick<\/a><\/p>\nAshesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes…Read More<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nAshesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes… Read More<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nview comments<\/span><\/p>\nNews<\/a> politics<\/a> Congress Claims Credit For GST Reforms Plans, BJP Questions Opposition’s \u2018Audacity\u2019<\/span><\/div>\n\n\nDisclaimer: Comments reflect users\u2019 views, not News18\u2019s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use<\/a> and Privacy Policy<\/a>.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nRead More<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
If @INCIndia<\/a> is so full of \u201cGST ideas,” why did the UPA (2004\u201314) fail to implement GST for years?When the Modi government delivered the constitutional amendment, Congress boycotted the historic GST midnight launch in Parliament. They couldn\u2019t bear to see Modi succeed where\u2026 https:\/\/t.co\/cWa0YCN9r1<\/a><\/p>\n\u2014 Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) August 16, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\u201cThe real truth is GST succeeded despite Congress opposition, not because of it. The proposed two-slab structure represents continuous improvement by a government that actually delivers. Congress realises the PM\u2019s next-generation reform proposals are popular and bound to succeed, so now they want to rebrand their sabotage as support,” he added.<\/p>\nCongress Demands Discussion Paper On GST 2.0<\/h2>\nCongress MP Jairam Ramesh earlier said that the party had been demanding \u201cGST 2.0″ for over a year and a half and had included it in its 2024 Lok Sabha poll manifesto.<\/p>\n\u201cOver the last seven years, the spirit of GST has been vitiated by an increased number of rates and the granting of multiple exemptions. The structure also seems to have facilitated evasion. There must be a drastic reduction in the number of rates,” he said.<\/p>\nHe also demanded a discussion paper on GST 2.0.<\/p>\n\u201cThe Indian National Congress demands an official discussion paper on GST 2.0 very soon so that there can be an informed and wider debate on this vital and pressing national issue,” he said.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<\/span><\/p>\nAshesh Mallick<\/a><\/p>\nAshesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes…Read More<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nAshesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes… Read More<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nview comments<\/span><\/p>\nNews<\/a> politics<\/a> Congress Claims Credit For GST Reforms Plans, BJP Questions Opposition’s \u2018Audacity\u2019<\/span><\/div>\n\n\nDisclaimer: Comments reflect users\u2019 views, not News18\u2019s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use<\/a> and Privacy Policy<\/a>.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nRead More<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\u2014 Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) August 16, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\u201cThe real truth is GST succeeded despite Congress opposition, not because of it. The proposed two-slab structure represents continuous improvement by a government that actually delivers. Congress realises the PM\u2019s next-generation reform proposals are popular and bound to succeed, so now they want to rebrand their sabotage as support,” he added.<\/p>\nCongress Demands Discussion Paper On GST 2.0<\/h2>\nCongress MP Jairam Ramesh earlier said that the party had been demanding \u201cGST 2.0″ for over a year and a half and had included it in its 2024 Lok Sabha poll manifesto.<\/p>\n\u201cOver the last seven years, the spirit of GST has been vitiated by an increased number of rates and the granting of multiple exemptions. The structure also seems to have facilitated evasion. There must be a drastic reduction in the number of rates,” he said.<\/p>\nHe also demanded a discussion paper on GST 2.0.<\/p>\n\u201cThe Indian National Congress demands an official discussion paper on GST 2.0 very soon so that there can be an informed and wider debate on this vital and pressing national issue,” he said.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<\/span><\/p>\nAshesh Mallick<\/a><\/p>\nAshesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes…Read More<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nAshesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes… Read More<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nview comments<\/span><\/p>\nNews<\/a> politics<\/a> Congress Claims Credit For GST Reforms Plans, BJP Questions Opposition’s \u2018Audacity\u2019<\/span><\/div>\n\n\nDisclaimer: Comments reflect users\u2019 views, not News18\u2019s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use<\/a> and Privacy Policy<\/a>.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nRead More<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\u201cThe real truth is GST succeeded despite Congress opposition, not because of it. The proposed two-slab structure represents continuous improvement by a government that actually delivers. Congress realises the PM\u2019s next-generation reform proposals are popular and bound to succeed, so now they want to rebrand their sabotage as support,” he added.<\/p>\n
Congress MP Jairam Ramesh earlier said that the party had been demanding \u201cGST 2.0″ for over a year and a half and had included it in its 2024 Lok Sabha poll manifesto.<\/p>\n
\u201cOver the last seven years, the spirit of GST has been vitiated by an increased number of rates and the granting of multiple exemptions. The structure also seems to have facilitated evasion. There must be a drastic reduction in the number of rates,” he said.<\/p>\n
He also demanded a discussion paper on GST 2.0.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Indian National Congress demands an official discussion paper on GST 2.0 very soon so that there can be an informed and wider debate on this vital and pressing national issue,” he said.<\/p>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n
Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes…Read More<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nAshesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes… Read More<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nview comments<\/span><\/p>\nNews<\/a> politics<\/a> Congress Claims Credit For GST Reforms Plans, BJP Questions Opposition’s \u2018Audacity\u2019<\/span><\/div>\n\n\nDisclaimer: Comments reflect users\u2019 views, not News18\u2019s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use<\/a> and Privacy Policy<\/a>.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nRead More<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes… Read More<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nview comments<\/span><\/p>\nNews<\/a> politics<\/a> Congress Claims Credit For GST Reforms Plans, BJP Questions Opposition’s \u2018Audacity\u2019<\/span><\/div>\n\n\nDisclaimer: Comments reflect users\u2019 views, not News18\u2019s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use<\/a> and Privacy Policy<\/a>.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nRead More<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
view comments<\/span><\/p>\nNews<\/a> politics<\/a> Congress Claims Credit For GST Reforms Plans, BJP Questions Opposition’s \u2018Audacity\u2019<\/span><\/div>\n\n\nDisclaimer: Comments reflect users\u2019 views, not News18\u2019s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use<\/a> and Privacy Policy<\/a>.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nRead More<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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