BJP parliamentary board lauds PM for GST rejig: 'It can make India self-reliant'

NEW DELHI: The BJP parliamentary party on Sunday passed a resolution hailing PM Narendra Modi for the GST reforms which, the party said, are citizen-friendly and have the potential to make India "self-reliant"."Eight years ago, under the decisive leadership of PM Narendra Modi, India embraced the Goods and Services Tax, fulfilling the vision of 'One Nation, One Tax'. What once was a cumbersome tax regime of VAT and multiple taxes is now replaced by a unified market that has brought fairness, simplicity and strength to our economy," the party said in the resolution, which was presented by commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal.The resolution was adopted by the party during a two-day workshop beginning Sunday, ahead of the VP polls, at the GMC Balayogi Auditorium in the Parliament complex. Modi attended the workshop for BJP MPs, where a resolution was passed lauding the govt for the GST reforms, ahead of the party's nationwide outreach to highlight its benefits. Modi, who was seated in the last row, remained in the midst of the MPs and attended different sessions on the first day of the "Sansad Karyashala".

Sources said the PM gave suggestions and shared his views while attending meetings of MPs divided into different groups.At a meeting which saw members of a few parliamentary committees being brought together, he asked the MPs to take an active part in discussions and in reading and preparing reports.Union parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju said MPs from the BJP's allies will join the meeting on Monday, and Modi will address the governing alliance members.NDA MPs are also likely to participate in a mock polling exercise in preparation for the Sept 9 VP election.Leading party netas, including Union ministers Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh and J P Nadda, attended the programme aimed at helping MPs contribute effectively inside and outside Parliament.Several members highlighted that Modi had chosen to sit in the last row, like an "ordinary" party member, when he arrived. Sharing a picture of Modi, Gorakhpur MP Ravi Kishan said, "This is BJP's strength that everyone here is a karyakarta (worker)."Modi later said on X, "Attended the 'Sansad Karyashala' in Delhi. MP colleagues from all over India and other senior leaders exchanged valuable perspectives on diverse issues." He added, "In our party, platforms like 'Sansad Karyashala' are important because they are great forums to learn from each other and deliberate on how we can serve people even better."The different sessions during the two-day workshop will be devoted to a host of issues, including the work of parliamentarians and the highlights of the govt's achievements. The venue was replete with materials showcasing the benefits of the GST reforms and other achievements, including Operation Sindoor.