AGENCY
New Delhi: Under opposition attack over the unrest in the Kashmir Valley, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said his government has nothing to hide and would take everybody into confidence while dealing with it.
He made these remarks at a meeting of the NDA constituents which was preceded by a meet of the BJP Parliamentary Party Executive where he said the government will talk to all parties on the GST bill and seek to build a consensus for its passage.
Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut told reporters that Modi touched upon the issue of ongoing unrest in Kashmir and sought views of the BJP allies.
“He said that the government had nothing to hide over the matter and it will take everybody into confidence,” Raut said.
The Sena leader said he asked the Prime Minister to hold “chai pe charcha” (talk over tea) with the people of Kashmir.
He said the people did not like his ‘chai pe charcha’ with Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif even though his intentions may have been good.
Sena has had uneasy ties with BJP and often attacked the Modi government over a host of issues. Information and Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu told reporters that Modi explained to NDA leaders the importance of the GST bill and the need to pass it.
“All parties (of NDA) are together on the GST bill. The PM explained to them its importance and the need to pass it,” he said. The government had made similar points at the all-party meet on Sunday. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Parliamentary Affairs Ananth Kumar also addressed the meetings and told the leaders about the government’s agenda for the session. Earlier in the day, top official sources had said the government will hold more meetings with opposition parties to build a consensus on the GST bill. “On our part, we have made it clear to all political parties that we are ready for more discussions and have an open mind. We are ready to go the extra mile to build consensus over the GST bill,” a senior minister said after the meeting. “All political parties appear positive for passing the GST bill,” he said. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Parliamentary Affairs Ananth Kumar also addressed the meetings and told the leaders about the government’s agenda for the session. Earlier in the day, top official sources had said the government will hold more meetings with opposition parties to build a consensus on the GST bill. “On our part, we have made it clear to all political parties that we are ready for more discussions and have an open mind. We are ready to go the extra mile to build consensus over the GST bill,” a senior minister said after the meeting. “All political parties appear positive for passing the GST bill,” he said.
