Centre reduced GST rates in wake of Gujarat polls: Chidambaram

New Delhi: Former Finance Minister and Senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram on Friday said that his party is 'vindicated' by reduction change in GST rates, and alleged that it was done because of the Gujarat elections.

In a series of tweets after Finance Minister Arun Jaitley announced that the GST Council has decided to slash tax slabs for 178 items from 28 per cent to 18 per cent, Chidambaram said that the rate has been "capped" at 18 per cent.

"When GST rate is capped at 18 per cent, this government would have learnt its lesson belatedly. Congress is vindicated. I am vindicated. The merit of capping GST at 18 per cent is now recognised," the Congress leader said.

The Congress had demanded a cap of 18 per cent for all taxes under the Goods and Services Tax regime.

Also Read: GST: Check list of 177 items removed from 28 per cent slab

"Thank you Gujarat. Your elections did what Parliament and common sense could not do," he said.A

Chidambaram added that the next goal for Congress is to push for one rate.

"Congress party's next goal will be to push for one rate: RNR (Revenue Neutral Rate) with an RNR plus and an RNR minus," he said.

In a major revamp of the GST tax structure, the GST Council on Friday removed 178 items from the highest 28 per cent category.

Only 50 products, including luxury and sin items, white goods, cement and paints, automobiles, aeroplane and yacht parts have been retained in the top 28 per cent slab.