Sam Pitroda’s Controversy: Does Congress Promise Wealth Redistribution in Manifesto? BJP vs Congress.

Mr. Pitroda’s example of an inheritance tax in the US has caused a stir following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent remarks. This has added fuel to a controversy that the Congress has been attempting to dampen. The Congress distanced itself from Pitroda’s remarks, with him issuing a clarification stating that he was only expressing his personal views on the inheritance tax in the US. The BJP has targeted the Congress, alleging that the party’s manifesto promises to seize and redistribute the wealth of Indians, a charge that the Congress denies.

The BJP has cited excerpts from the Congress manifesto to support its claim. The manifesto includes plans for a nationwide Socio-Economic and Caste Census to gather data and implement affirmative action policies. The party also mentions addressing wealth and income inequality through policy changes. However, it does not specifically claim that it will seize wealth from the rich and distribute it among the poor.

In response, Rahul Gandhi has described the census as an ‘X-ray’ of India that will aid in policy formulation. Mr. Pitroda has emphasized that the party is discussing policies in the interest of the people, not just the rich. He highlighted that US does not have a federal inheritance tax, and in some states where it exists, it is applicable above a certain threshold and depends on the amount of the inheritance and the relationship to the deceased. The BJP has filed a complaint with the Election Commission, and Mr. Pitroda’s recent remarks have forced the Congress into firefighting mode.

Congress’s general secretary, Jairam Ramesh, mentioned in a tweet that Mr. Pitroda’s views don’t always reflect the position of the Indian National Congress. Prime Minister Modi has been vocal about the issue, highlighting what he perceives as the Congress’s “dangerous intentions” and claiming that the party plans to seize wealth earned through hard work. The Congress’s response has been to assert that Mr. Pitroda’s remarks do not reflect the party’s policies.