Uddhav Thackeray plays hardball on GST

MUMBAI: A few days before the GST bill is ratified in the Maharashtra legislative assembly , the Shiv Sena has given BJP the jitters by indicating that it has reservations about the bill.

Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray had said last week that the Sena would oppose any move that was considered as some kind of an ‘encroachment’ on the powers of the local body .Thackeray was talking about how municipal corporations like the BMC would be at the mercy of the Centre, or the state government, for funds which affect its autonomy .

Since Maharashtra has called a special three-day session to ratify the GST on May 20, state finance minister Sudhir Mungantiwar met Thackeray at his residence to iron out the `misunderstandings’.

While speaking to reporters after the meeting, Mungantiwar said that the Sena president was `apprehensive’ that civic bodies like the BMC run by the Sena would have to depend on the state or the Centre for funds.

But despite the assurances, Sena continues to play hardball. Sources said that a `presentation’ on the GST would be sent to the Sena president on Monday night following which another round of discussions would be held between Mungantiwar and Thackeray on Tuesday .

BJP leaders, however, claimed that this is nothing but the Sena holding the party to ransom in Maharashtra. “These are all tactics by the Sena to express its importance. The GST bill will be passed with Sena’s support, but the latter will still try to embarrass us,“ said a BJP leader, requesting not to be identified.

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