Maya pledges support to GST, attacks govt on ‘intolerance’

BSP chief Mayawati on Monday announced support to the GST bill even as she attacked the government over alleged "intolerance, communalism and anarchy" in the country and demanded action against Minister V K Singh for his remarks on the killing of Dalit children in Haryana.

Participating in debate on 'Commitment to the Constitution' in Rajya Sabha, she expressed concern over the condition of SCs, OBCs and minorities particularly Muslims. Taking strong objection to Singh's 'dog' remarks after killing to two Dalit children in Haryana, Mayawati said the Minister should be dropped from the Council of Ministers and "sent to jail as such people deserve to be in jail and not in Parliament".

Spewing fire on the government on various incidents including Dadri killing, she repeatdly raised questions over the government's commitment to the Constitution, debunking Prime Minister Narendra Modi's reply statement on it in the Lok Sabha. 

The BSP chief dared Modi to take action against his own ministerial and party colleagues, who she alleged are making "provocative" remarks.

At the same time, she significantly chose the occasion to announce her unequivocal support to the GST bill, which is stuck in Rajya Sabha.

"If your government is fully confident that bringing the GST Bill is in the interest of the nation, it will bring a change in the economy and give a boost to it, the BSP will definitely back it. Our party supports the Bill in Parliament," she said. 

In an apparent dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for inviting Congress President Sonia Gandhi and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh over tea to discuss the GST issue, the BSP chief said, "you will not need to offer even a cup of tea or a glass of water (to me) for this", evoking laughter in the House.

She said her party will back the government on measures it takes for the development of the nation and the welfare of all sections. Mayawati alleged that an atmosphere of "intolerance, anarchy and extremism" is growing but the government is not giving attention.

"People from BJP and affiliated Hindu organizations keep on making controversial indignified remarks. But Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is the head of the government keeps silent," she said.