BJP Says Congress Free To Claim Credit For GST Rate Cuts

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday welcomed opposition criticism of recent Goods and Services Tax (GST) reforms, asserting that the changes have delivered tangible relief to consumers through lower prices on essentials, vehicles, and electronics. BJP MP and national spokesperson Sambit Patra dismissed Congress accusations that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was usurping credit for decisions by the GST Council—a federal body including state representatives—as politically motivated, urging the opposition to erect banners thanking Modi if they believed the public was benefiting. The remarks came hours after the GST Council's September 22 overhaul slashed rates on over 100 items, effective immediately, marking a significant easing of the 2017 tax regime amid inflation concerns.

Patra highlighted an "atmosphere of festivity" nationwide, citing media reports and feedback from NDA leaders' market visits on Monday, where shopkeepers and buyers expressed satisfaction with reduced costs. Car manufacturers reported unprecedented demand: Maruti Suzuki delivered 25,000 vehicles on the first day, with sales head Partho Banerjee noting 80,000 enquiries—the highest in 35 years—due to a GST drop from 28% to 18% on mid-range models.

Medicines saw rates fall from 12% to 5%, saving consumers Rs 300-500 per purchase, while appliances like air conditioners and washing machines drew crowds to showrooms, bolstered by pre-stocked inventories. Patra contrasted this with Congress's "limited, inadequate, and too late" label, accusing the party of imposing "17 types of taxes" over 75 years without streamlining into a unified system like GST, realised only under BJP governance.

Launched in July 2017 as India's biggest indirect tax reform, GST replaced a patchwork of levies to create "one nation, one tax", boosting compliance and revenue to Rs 2.1 lakh crore monthly by 2025. The latest cuts, including zero-rating on life insurance and reductions on hair oil and cornflakes, aim to curb post-harvest losses and enhance affordability, with the government projecting a 1-2% inflation dip.

Patra quipped that Congress demands—such as post-Pahalgam terror action—stem from confidence in Modi's delivery, inviting leaders like Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge to join the credit-sharing via hoardings. "It's not a fight for claiming credit; people are happy," he said, emphasising collaborative public interest over partisanship.

Also Read: Congress Questions Whether GST Reduction Benefits Will Reach Consumers

The exchange reflects ongoing political sparring ahead of state elections, where economic relief narratives could sway voters. As BJP touts GST's evolution from a Congress-initiated concept to a BJP-implemented success, opposition critiques focus on unresolved anomalies like inverted duty structures. With bookings surging and markets buzzing, the reforms underscore GST's maturation, potentially setting the stage for further simplifications in 2026 to sustain momentum in India's USD 3.7 trillion economy.

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