How Congress resurgence in Hindi heartland changes dynamics of GST Council

Ruling NDA needs support of at least three non-NDA states to pass resolutions if a vote is forced; Congress FMs to call on each other before next meeting

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley’s persuasive skills will be tested at the next Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council meeting, scheduled for December 22, in which three new state finance ministers from the Congress will replace Bharatiya Janata Party leaders.

For the first time since the inception of the GST, there seems a possibility of the blocking of a resolution in the GST Council as the Opposition vote has crossed the numbers required for it. So far, all decisions have been taken by consensus, and voting has never been resorted to. The ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) at the Centre will now