Tamil Nadu BJP Applauds PM Modi’s GST Reforms; Criticises Trump’s Tariff Policies

The Tamil Nadu unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party has lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Goods and Services Tax (GST) reforms as a milestone that has reshaped India’s economy.

In a statement issued on Thursday, party spokesperson ANS Prasad described the reform as a ‘transformative step’ that has strengthened transparency, stabilised prices and given businesses from small traders to large enterprises a level playing field.

Prasad said the GST overhaul reflected ‘integrated humanism’ inspired by Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya’s philosophy and argued that citizens now view tax compliance as an act of patriotism, contributing directly to nation-building.

The BJP spokesperson highlighted the Union government’s recent GST rate reductions across key sectors, calling them an ‘early Diwali gift’.

Taxes have been lowered on essentials such as tractors, household appliances, medical equipment, petrol and diesel, while GST on 33 lifesaving drugs has been cut to zero.

According to Prasad, these measures show the government’s compassion for farmers, micro and small enterprises, the middle class and people reliant on affordable healthcare. He said the abolition of the 12 per cent and 28 per cent GST slabs had simplified the tax structure and improved both ease of living and ease of doing business.

Sharp Contrast with Trump’s Tariff Policies

Prasad contrasted the PM Modi government’s approach with former US President Donald Trump’s tariff policies, which he characterised as ‘self-serving and restrictive’. He argued that Trump’s measures strained global trade, while PM Modi’s reforms encouraged enthusiasm among nations trading with India and promoted inclusive prosperity.

“Where Trump’s decisions prioritised political gains, PM Modi’s policies have created a model for fair trade and shared growth,” he said, stressing that India’s tax system now serves as a benchmark for other economies.

The statement also praised Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, describing her appointment as a ‘symbol of women’s empowerment’ and crediting her with elevating GST into a global standard. Prasad said her leadership has boosted confidence among entrepreneurs and ensured that taxation benefits all states equally.

He added that the reformed GST system had become a cornerstone of India’s economic rise, strengthening government revenues while making every citizen a stakeholder in the nation’s progress. According to him, the reforms are central to the Prime Minister’s vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’, a developed India built on transparency, inclusiveness and sustainable growth.

With Tamil Nadu BJP strongly endorsing the GST reforms, the party has sought to frame them as both a social and economic achievement, contrasting India’s cooperative approach to global trade with more protectionist models elsewhere.

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