BJP,Cong likely to spar over GST now

The next round of showdown between the UPA government and the BJP could well be on the rollout of the Goods and Services Tax regime.

The next round of showdown between the UPA government and the BJP could well be on the rollout of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime. With many party-ruled states,particularly Gujarat,firmly opposed to the GST,the BJP on Monday made it clear that it wanted the government to walk the extra mile as it said cooperative federalism has to be a two-way traffic and not just a PR exercise.

Ahead of the monsoon session,BJP leader Arun Jaitley indicated the BJP was gearing up to pin down the government on its relations with Opposition-ruled states.

Addressing a FICCI meeting here,he said while the Opposition had helped the government at times notably with Womens Reservation Bill,Pension Bill and Civil Nuclear Liability Bill the latter had not reciprocated. Then there is the fact that Opposition-ruled states are complaining of discrimination by the Centre.

He said the initiative to develop a consensus with the Opposition has to come from the government. Non-UPA states,he said,were crying of discrimination the Centre has not approved another international airport in UP,while every second project of Orissa is scuttled.

SP leader Azam Khan walks out of jail after 23 months, hundreds of supporters welcome him

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Senior Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan, who is facing multiple cases, walked out of the Sitapur jail today after 23 months. He was scheduled to be released early Tuesday morning, but it was delayed due to impending court proceedings. Hundreds of supporters gathered outside the Sitapur jail, waiting for the SP leader to walk out of prison.

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