PM Modi blasts Congress over Sam Pitroda's 'wealth distribution' remark
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a scathing attack on the Congress on Wednesday after Indian Overseas Congress Chairperson Sam Pitroda advocated for a "United States-like inheritance tax law" in India. Speaking at a public meeting in Chhattisgarh's Surguja, PM Modi said the Congress's "dangerous intentions are coming out in the open." "Congress has one mantra—to loot people zindagi ke sath bhi, zindagi ke baad bhi (in life and even after death)," PM Modi said in a jibe.
Why does this story matter?
Pitroda is at the center of a major controversy after he emphasized the need for policy toward wealth redistribution in an interview with ANI. "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," he said. With the Lok Sabha elections in full swing, the BJP seized the opportunity to use Pitroda's comments to attack the Congress.
Congress plans to introduce inheritance tax, alleges PM Modi
At the political rally, PM Modi cautioned that "the wealth you accumulate with your hard work won't pass down to your children. The Congress's hand will snatch it." "As long as you live, Congress's high taxation will make you suffer. When you are dead, they will put the burden of inheritance tax on you," he said.
Congress distances itself from Pitroda's remarks
Earlier, the Congress distanced itself from the comments made by Pitroda, saying that his views do not reflect the party's official position. 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 made the remarks in response to PM Modi's speech that the Congress manifesto promises to redistribute wealth among "infiltrators" if it comes to power.
PM's remarks starts row
The prime minister, while speaking at a rally in Rajasthan's Banswara on Sunday, said that if the Congress party were to come to power, it would redistribute wealth among those "with more children." "The Congress manifesto says they will calculate the gold with mothers and sisters, get information about it and then distribute that property." "They will distribute it to whom—Manmohan Singh's government had said that Muslims have the first right on the country's assets," the PM said."
