New Delhi, Sept. 4 -- The GST Council meeting on Wednesday was expected to wrap up in the usual manner, but it turned into a lengthy standoff fraught with confrontation as opposition-ruled states resisted tax rate cuts.

Despite this groundwork, consensus proved elusive when the council met.

Opposition-led states - West Bengal, Punjab, Kerala and Karnataka - opposed tax reductions citing possible revenue erosion.

The meeting, meant to conclude by 7 p.m., extended well past 9:30 p.m.

At that point, Sitharaman is learnt to have made clear she would not allow postponement.

According to sources, West Bengal eventually played a role in persuading Kerala and Karnataka to relent, paving the way for agreement.

With resistance overcome, Sitha...