BJP Slams Sam Pitroda For Backing '50% Inheritance Tax Law', Congress Reacts: VIDEO

Sam Pitroda said that the absence of such a policy in India compared to the US, where a substantial portion of inherited wealth is allocated to the government. BJP says "will lead to destruction".

Sam Pitroda Supports Inheritance Tax Law (File Photo: Rahul Gandhi (L) & Sam Pitroda (R)) ( Image Source :Getty Images )

Sam Pitroda, Chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress, on Wednesday, endorsed the party’s stance on wealth redistribution, advocating the implementation of an inheritance tax law in India. He stated that the absence of such a policy in India compared to the United States, where a substantial portion of inherited wealth is allocated to the government. The Bharatiya Janata Party had condemned the proposal alleging that it would lead to the “destruction of India”. However, Congress has distanced itself from Pitroda's statement. 

“In America, there is an inheritance tax. If one has 1000 million USD worth of wealth and when he dies he can only transfer probably 45 per cent to his children, 55 per cent is grabbed by the government. That’s an interesting law. It says in your generation, made wealth and you are leaving now, you must leave your wealth for the public, not all of it, half of it, which to me sounds fair,” Pitroda told ANI. 

#WATCH | Chicago, US: Chairman of Indian Overseas Congress, Sam Pitroda says, "...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. That's an… pic.twitter.com/DTJrseebFk

— ANI (@ANI) April 24, 2024

Speaking further, Pitroda emphasised the necessity of debating and deliberating on issues related to wealth redistribution, stating, “Concerns about existing system where the entirety of a deceased individual’s wealth is inherited by their descendants, leaving nothing for public welfare”. 

Regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s criticism of the Congress manifesto, Pitroda labelled wealth distribution as a “policy matter”, expressing dismay at the PM’s remarks. “This is a policy issue. Congress would frame a policy through which the wealth distribution would be better. We don’t have a minimum wage (in India). If we come up with a minimum wage in the country saying you must pay so much money to the poor, that’s the distribution of wealth,” he said in an interview with ANI. 

“Today, rich people don’t pay their peons, servants, and home help enough but they spend that money on vacation in Dubai and London… 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,” he added. 

‘Pathological Liar’: Sam Pitroda Reacts To PM Modi's Remarks

Expressing concern over PM Modi’s remarks, he questioned the PM’s understanding of policy issues, saying, “It’s naive to think like that. The PM of a country thinks like that…I have some concerns about his brain”. 

Calling the Prime Minister a ‘pathological liar’, he told ANI, “I feel sorry for them, I am amazed that they would talk like this, It is a lie. EC. This manifesto has nothing to do with the Muslim league. I am ashamed of my Prime Minister. His team is lying about the manifesto. He is a pathological liar. How can they lie through their teeth and feel comfortable”.

Prime Minister recently took a jibe at Congress and its manifesto saying that if the grand old party came to power, it would redistribute people’s wealth and also give reservations to Muslims from the quota for SC, ST, and OBC communities. 

He also said that Congress would Conduct a survey and not even let Mangalsutra remain with women, and “will go to this extent”.

Reacting to PM Modi’s remarks, Pitroda said, “How can you insult our women…Muslims really don’t have more children. He (PM Modi) can say whatever he likes, he also has moral responsibility. He is not above the law. It looks like you can’t comprehend, I think it is maybe due to fear, panic has been set in after the first phase. India is angry at the PM’s comment”. 

'Tax Will Go Up If...': BJP 

Responding to Pitroda’s statements, Amit Malviya, BJP’s In-charge of National Information and Technology Department, condemned the proposal for an inheritance tax, alleging that it would lead to the destruction of India. 

Malviya argued that such a tax would confiscate a significant portion of hard-earned wealth, in addition to the existing taxes imposed by the government. 

“Congress has decided to destroy India. Now, Sam Pitroda advocates 50% inheritance tax for wealth redistribution. This means 50% of whatever we build, with all our hard work and enterprise, will be taken away. 50%, besides all the tax we pay, which too will go up, if the Congress prevails,” he said in an X post.

Congress has decided to destroy India. Now, Sam Pitroda advocates 50% inheritance tax for wealth redistribution. This means 50% of whatever we build, with all our hard work and enterprise, will be taken away. 50%, besides all the tax we pay, which too will go up, if the Congress… https://t.co/4ojS3ZtSRL

— Amit Malviya (मोदी का परिवार) (@amitmalviya) April 24, 2024

Calling Pitroda's statement an "internal strategy" of the Congress party, Uttar Pradesh Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak told ANI, "I think Sam Pitroda's statement is a part of the Congress party's internal strategy. The statement has come at a time when discussions that Congress will conduct a survey of people's jewellery and property, acquire it, and distribute it are ongoing in the country - it will be distributed among such people who have always destroyed the country."

"We condemn it and people will make Congress suffer the consequences in the time to come," he added. 

#WATCH | Lucknow: On Chairman of Indian Overseas Congres Sam Pitroda's remark, Uttar Pradesh Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak says, "I think Sam Pitroda's statement is actually a part of Congress party's internal strategy. The statement has come at a time when discussions that Congress… pic.twitter.com/2ISaRSr0ia

— ANI (@ANI) April 24, 2024

Congress Distances Itself From Sam Pitroda's Remarks

The Congress party, however, has distanced itself from Sam Pitroda's statement, calling it his "personal opinion". Reacting to Pitroda's statement, sources from the grand old party told ABP News, "Congress does not have such a policy. Sam's statement may be his personal opinion but it is to be noted that he is not among the policymakers of Congress".  

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh in an X post said Pitroda could express his opinions freely on issues he feels strongly about, but this does not mean his "personal opinion" would reflect the position of the Indian National Congress. 

Sam Pitroda has been a mentor, friend, philosopher, and guide to many across the world, including me. He has made numerous, enduring contributions to India's developments. He is President of the Indian Overseas Congress.

Mr Pitroda expresses his opinions freely on issues he…

— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) April 24, 2024

(With Inputs from Jainendra)