Centre gave GST reform as Diwali bonanza, K’taka govt gifted pothole-model: BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla
BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla slammed the Congress-led Karnataka government on Saturday, calling it a “pothole-model” while praising the central government’s upcoming GST reforms as a real “Diwali bonanza” for everyday Indians.
Speaking at a press conference in Bengaluru’s BJP office, Poonawalla highlighted how Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman are rolling out a simpler GST system starting September 22—the first day of Navratri. “This is like an early Diwali gift,” he said, noting it will ease life for the middle class by cutting tax slabs and boosting savings.
He pushed back against critics who call GST the “Gabbar Singh Tax,” insisting it’s truly a “Good and Simple Tax.” Under the new setup, the old four-slab system drops to just two: 5% and 18%. That means 99 items previously taxed at 12% now fall into the lower 5% bracket, and most high-end goods shift from 28% to 18%. “Prices on these essentials will drop, putting more money back in people’s pockets,” Poonawalla explained.
The BJP spokesperson also touted other wins from the Modi government, like expanding metro networks and public transport, raising the income tax exemption to Rs 12 lakh, and slashing interest rates on home and education loans. Inflation, he added, stays low—controlled at around 2%, the lowest in years.
But Poonawalla didn’t hold back on Karnataka’s rulers. He accused Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar of wasting time in a power struggle while ignoring voters. “This is a government of loot and lies,” he charged, pointing to scams in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA), Valmiki Corporation, and excise departments. Price hikes on stamp duty, water, milk, petrol, and diesel have hit hard, he said, even as promised poll guarantees go nowhere and potholes plague roads.
“In Bengaluru and across Karnataka, infrastructure is crumbling despite sky-high taxes,” Poonawalla said. He contrasted this with the “Modi-model” at the center—a corruption-free push that supports farmers, youth, and small businesses while building a stronger India.
Diving into the big picture, Poonawalla celebrated India’s economic turnaround under Modi’s 11-year leadership. From a shaky past, the country now ranks as the world’s fourth-largest economy, growing at a brisk 7.5% GDP rate—one of the fastest anywhere. Inflation has plunged from double digits to about 2%, bad loans are at rock bottom, foreign exchange reserves top $703 billion, and exports are booming. Credit ratings have climbed too, he noted.
Quoting Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation data, Poonawalla said unemployment has hit its lowest point in years. Over the last decade, 25 crore people have escaped poverty, proving the government’s focus works.
“Those stuck in the old ‘darbari’ ways are getting a wake-up call,” he quipped, wrapping up by saying it was an honor to speak in Karnataka.
Joining him at the event were state BJP figures like general secretary and MP Captain Brijesh Chowta, Legislative Council chief whip N. Ravikumar, former MP Muniswamy, Bengaluru South district president and MLA C.K. Ramamurthy, and spokespersons Surabhi Hodigere, Prashanth G.S., and Karunakar Khasale.
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