`Entry tax on non-Goan vehicles added to BJP`s Karna defeat`

Goa govt`s move to impose Entry Tax on vehicles from other states is one of the factors for BJP`s debacle in Karnataka polls, according to Congress.

Panaji: Goa government`s move to impose Entry Tax on vehicles from other states is one of the factors responsible for BJP`s debacle in Karnataka Assembly polls, according to opposition Congress. "The imposition of entry tax (on vehicles from other states) is definitely one of the reasons for BJP`s defeat in Karnataka...People from Karnataka have shown their resentment in the form of voting against BJP", Goa Pradesh Congress Committee president Subhash Shirodkar told reporters here on Wednesday. Seeking to drive a wedge, Shirodkar claimed that chief minister Manohar Parrikar did not pay heed to BJP president Rajnath Singh`s assurance to people in Karnataka that the levy will be scrapped. "BJP president Rajnath Singh, during his campaigning in Karnataka, had made a statement that he would ask Goa government to withdraw the Entry Tax, but chief minister Manohar Parrikar did not listen", he said.

Goa government imposed entry tax on non-Goan vehicles entering the state from April 15. The levy of Rs 1,000 on heavy vehicles had raised the hackles of transporters who have threatened of stopping the goods and passenger traffic to Goa from midnight of May 12 onwards. Shirodkar said that the state government could have explored other means to generate revenue instead of imposition of entry tax. Meanwhile, hailing the victory of Congress in Karnataka as "a backlash by people for corruption and misrule of BJP", Shirodkar said the outcome spells portend for BJP in 2014 general elections. "This victory is like a wave that would continue in the favour of Congress for next round of Assembly elections in four states and later in Lok Sabha polls", he added. PTI