The Congress party has distanced itself from comments made by Sam Pitroda, chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress, regarding inheritance tax. Pitroda’s remarks, made in a video that surfaced on social media platforms, triggered strong reactions, with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accusing the Congress of having dangerous intentions and criticizing its manifesto.
Pitroda had spoken about inheritance tax in the United States, saying that it is an interesting law that ensures that individuals leave a portion of their wealth to the public. He suggested that such a system could be considered in India, sparking a debate on wealth redistribution and the role of the government in managing inherited wealth.
The Congress, however, has clarified that Pitroda’s views are his own and do not represent the party’s official stance. Jairam Ramesh, general secretary in-charge of communications for the Congress, stated that Pitroda is free to express his opinions, but they do not necessarily reflect the party’s position. He also accused the BJP of sensationalizing Pitroda’s comments and attempting to divert attention away from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s election campaign, which he characterized as being based on lies.
The BJP, on the other hand, has seized on Pitroda’s remarks to attack the Congress, with Prime Minister Modi himself alleging that the party’s true intentions are now being exposed. Modi claimed that the Congress is planning to impose an inheritance tax, depriving individuals of the wealth they accumulate through hard work.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also criticized the Congress, stating that Pitroda’s statement has made the party’s motives clear. He accused the Congress of wanting to survey private property and distribute it according to their own decisions, and called on people to take Pitroda’s statement seriously.
The debate over inheritance tax and wealth redistribution is likely to continue as the country gears up for the 2024 general elections. The Congress will need to navigate the issue carefully, balancing the concerns of different sections of society while also addressing the BJP’s accusations.
