Will GST Affect Gujarat Elections? We Ask Surat’s Textile Traders

Find out what Surat’s textile community has to say about GST’s impact on the upcoming polls.

Will GST woes hurt BJP’s prospects in Gujarat?

Photograph by author.

Surat thrives on the textile industry, and is home to a trading community that has traditionally supported the BJP.

However, with demonetisation late last year, and GST this year, there is expected to be some disillusionment with the ruling party that may impact the final decision.

The Quint spoke to a panel comprising Members of the Board of Directors of the Surat Textile Mill, and other stakeholders in the industry to know their opinion on how the GST might affect the poll outcome.

While the majority held that the GST had caused much trouble, and that the textile industry was the worst-hit of all, there was absolute unanimity on the move being beneficial in the long run.

“The GST should have been implemented step-by-step, and not in the hasty manner we saw from the government.”

Interestingly, while the traders and board presidents were unhappy with the GST, they had no qualms with the BJP.

“An educated man will keep the GST separate from the election. Yes, the GST and demonetisation will have affect the final count – it is inevitable – but the move is good for the economy.”

Apart from its hasty implementation, the other problem cited by the traders was the lack of education among the trading community, the bulk of which is made up of small traders who simply cannot deal with the paperwork.

“A CA committed suicide last week because he could not deal with the paperwork. How do you suppose illiterate traders are dealing with it?”