<h1>Ruling party hails GST reform: two tax slabs, essentials zero-rated; calls opposition hypocritical, blames prior government</h1> Ruling-party leaders praised recent GST Council reforms-adopted by consensus across state and federal finance ministers-for consolidating tax slabs to two (5% and 18%), eliminating the 28% and 12% bands, zero-rating many essentials, and removing tax on health and life insurance premiums; they framed the changes as advancing 'one nation, one tax,' easing business and boosting living standards. The ruling party accused the opposition of hypocrisy for criticizing measures supported by finance ministers from opposition-led states and criticized the prior administration for failing to implement GST and enabling VAT-era evasion.