Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Minister of Urban Development, Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, M Venkaiah Naidu, worked behind the scenes to get the GST Bill passed. As the monsoon session ended, Pratul Sharma spoke to him about the efforts to get everyone on board for the Bill and his stance on leading issues of the day, be it Dalits or Kashmir. Excerpts:
Are you satisfied with the Monsoon session of Parliament?
It was very productive and positive. The Campa and GST Bills were passed. I am very happy.
The PM acknowledged your role in geeting the GST Bill passed. How was this done?
After we came to power, we decided to take GST forward. We started interacting and going to states, held talks with parties and engaged with individuals. Concerns raised were addressed by Finance Minister (Arun Jaitley). After we completed one or two rounds of talks, we found there was broad acceptance from CMs. Congress was saying on record, ‘we have no problem’, but they did not allow one session to pass. I went to Soniaji’s house, some progress was made. Subsequently, there were some comments by some Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi.
We told Prime Minister Narendra Modi that it will be good if he calls the Congress president and former PM (Manmohan Singh). That helped us. Thirdly, we must really appreciate Arun Jaitley’s perseverance and patience. Even as people kept changing their arguments, he addressed each one. Later, other Congress leaders like P Chidambaram and Jairam Ramesh, who were not in the picture earlier, started raising issues. They raised the issue of cap (on GST rate) in the Constitution.
How was this logjam resolved?
The PM asked us to speak to all the parties on record so that we can come to a conclusion. We spoke to all 48 parties. I spoke to all nominated members and requested for their presence. By and large, they were supportive. Jayalalithaa met the PM, who made a request. The finance minister informed her that Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh—the three manufacturing states—would lose certain revenue. She said she will not create a problem in passing of the Bill. Later, Congress realised that there was a broad consensus among the regional parties. Everyone was on board. PM also called Soniaji, and then they accepted they have to pass it. Ultimately it was the public opinion. To sum up in one line: The Opposition had its say; the government had its way.
Does this mean the government scored over the Opposition?
I don’t think in terms of scoring or winning. The credit goes to the people of India. GST has to be implemented by all states, some which are ruled by Congress and Communists, or regional parties. Why we needed consensus. We are thankful to all parties.
The government came under attack over atrocities against Dalits. The Opposition tried to corner you in Parliament.
This is nothing but political agenda. Did the atrocities against Dalits start after Modi became PM? Are they confined to Gujarat or BJP-ruled states? It’s a politically motivated campaign to tarnish the image of this government and PM. Modi is accepted in all communities. After Vikas Parv, celebration of two years of government, the Opposition was disturbed. It has become a fashion for the opposition to raise an issue before any election. Atrocities against Dalits are a social issue. It is a shame to all of us. It’s challenge to all of us. We brought the Atrocities Bill. We have the largest number of Dalit MPs. What is BSP talking? They have zero representatives in Lok Sabha. Dalits have deserted them.
Kashmir is a burning problem.
Kashmir is not because of Modi. It has been hanging fire for many years. If I were to say politically, had the Congress party, which ruled the country for 60 years, had taken effective steps of social emancipation or bringing harmony, things would not have such to such a pass. They used Dalits for vote banks. There cannot be a compromise on the nation’s security or integrity. Our neighbour is fishing in troubled waters. Terrorists have gone on record to say they were trained and funded from across the border. It’s a challenge to us. All of us have to rise to the occasion and resolve it politically. With About dealing with the general protests, police and forces have to be extra careful.
Regulation of content on TV news channels has been a perennial cause of tussle between media houses and your ministry.
It is a larger and serious issue. About the role played by certain channels in the Pathankot episode, people are not happy. One must understand, he may be a media baron or an editor or a journalist, you are an Indian first. You have a responsibility towards the country. You must keep the nation’s interest in mind. I am not saying suppress any news. But glorifying something or continuously showing certain things that can affect the social harmony or peace of the area is a larger issue. They should have voluntary code of conduct, self restraint.
When will Censor Board reforms take place.
The Shyam Benegal committee has given its report. My ministry is examining it, after which we will take a call.
The government is celebrating 70 years of Independence.
Some Opposition parties say the government is pushing nationalism to overcome negative publicity.
What is there to overcome? Look at our track record, communal tension and Dalits atrocities have come down; highest foreign exchange; lowest inflation. The country is going forward. They are not able to digest our victory and growing popularity of Modi. They are trying to divert attention… but they will not succeed.