Bengaluru: It seems ruling NDA government at the center is using the Goods and Services Tax (GST) inauguration event to score few political points. What else could be the reason behind inviting former Prime Minister HD Devegowda to be a part of the inaugural event as Guest of Honour, to share the dais with five other selected dignitaries?
According to the JDS leaders in Bengaluru, former prime minister HD Devegowda will be on dais when President of India Pranab Mukherjee launches the GST on the mid night of June 30, at the Central Hall of the Parliament.
“Devegowda has been invited to the event by Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself. He will be one among the five dignitaries who will be on the dais,” said a leader.
According to the event details finalised by the Union finance ministry, the event will start at 11 pm on June 30. President Pranab Mukherjee will launch the GST by ringing a bell at 00.00 hours. Along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, former prime ministers Manmohan Singh and HD Devegowda will be the guests of honor of the event. Amitabh Bachchan will be the Star Icon to create awareness about this drive.
Volte-face?
Interestingly, Gowda has never supported the GST in the present form. In May 2016 he raised objections to the GST in the present format stating few of its clauses are against the spirit of federalism.
“BJP national leadership has finalised Devegowda’s name carefully. It wants to keep please Gowda, keeping the upcoming Assembly polls in Karnataka. The permutations and Combinations are necessary here just in case the state witnesses a hung assembly in 2018,” said a BJP state unit leader recalling that in a run up to 2014 Loksabha election, Modi had called Devegowda with a proposal of state-specific coalition. Under the arrangement, Modi had assured a cabinet berth to the JDS if BJP comes to power.
Ironically, Gowda has also announced to quit politics if Modi became the Prime Minister of India. With these equations, one has to only wait and watch if the exclusive invite to Gowda earns any political brownie points to the BJP or not.
