Congress distances itself from Sam Pitroda's remarks on wealth distribution
The Congress has distanced itself from the comments made by Indian Overseas Congress Chairperson Sam Pitroda, who advocated for a "United States-like inheritance tax law" in India. Pitroda's remarks came in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech that the Congress manifesto promises to redistribute wealth among "infiltrators" if it comes to power. Shortly after Pitroda's remarks, the Congress clarified that his views do not reflect the party's official position.
Why does this story matter?
The row started after PM Modi alleged that the Congress plans to seize citizens' assets and distribute them among "infiltrators" and "those with more children." To be sure, the Congress manifesto calls for a national socioeconomic and caste census to lay the groundwork for affirmative action. There is no mention of a wealth redistribution plan. In response, the Congress on Monday moved the Election Commission of India seeking action against the PM for making a "hate speech."
Pitroda expresses regret over misinterpretation of his comments
Congress member Jairam Ramesh addressed the uproar over Pitroda's comments on social media. He suggested that the hype surrounding Pitroda's remarks was a distraction from PM Modi's contentious election campaign. Pitroda, too, expressed regret over the misinterpretation of his comments, stating they were made in a personal capacity and not connected to any party policy, including that of the Congress.
Pitroda defends Congress manifesto against PM Modi's accusations
Recently, in an interview with ANI, Pitroda had emphasized the need for policy toward wealth redistribution. "In America, there is an inheritance tax. If one has $100 million worth of wealth and when he dies he can only transfer probably 45% to his children, 55% is grabbed by the government." "In India, you don't have that. If somebody is worth 10 billion and he dies, his children get 10 billion and the public gets nothing," he said.
Subject of wealth distribution a 'policy issue': Pitroda
Pitroda also stated that the subject of wealth distribution is strictly a "policy issue." "When you talk about the distribution of wealth, it is not that you sit on a chair and say I have this much money and I'll be distributing it to everybody." "It's naive to think like that. The PM of a country thinks like that...I have some concerns about his brain," Pitroda said when asked on the prime minister's criticisim of the Congress manifesto.
BJP accuses Congress of planning 'Organized Loot and Legalized Plunder'
With the Lok Sabha elections in full swing, the BJP seized the opportunity to use Pitroda's comments to attack the Congress. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma accused the Congress of planning "organized loot and legalized plunder" of Indians' hard-earned money. BJP leader Amit Malviya alleged that the Congress aims to ruin India by advocating a 50% inheritance tax for wealth redistribution. BJP Spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill also warned voters against "property snatchers."
