CONGRESS INTO DAMAGE CONTROL MODE AMID BACKLASH OVER SAM PITRODA'S COMMENTS ON WEALTH REDISTRIBUTION

NEW DELHI: The Congress party on Wednesday clarified its stance on Sam Pitroda's recent comments over wealth redistribution, saying that sensationalising these remarks are attempts at diverting attention from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "malicious" poll campaign.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh emphasized that while Pitroda is a respected figure and has the right to express his personal opinions freely, his views do not necessarily reflect the official position of the party.

"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 feels strongly about. Surely, in a democracy an individual is at liberty to discuss, express, and debate his personal views," Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said in a post on x.

"This does not mean that Mr Pitroda's views always reflect the position of the Indian National Congress. Many times they do not. Sensationalising his comments now and tearing them out of context are deliberate and desperate attempts at diverting attention away from Mr. Narenda Modi's malicious and mischievous election campaign; that is anchored ONLY in lies and more lies," he added.

Pitroda had earlier expressed his support for the party's stance on wealth redistribution, drawing inspiration from the American system. He explained that in the United States, when a wealthy individual passes away, only a portion of their assets can be transferred to their children, while the government claims a significant share. Pitroda suggested that adopting a similar approach in India would be fair and beneficial for the public.

However, Pitroda later clarified his stance, stating that he had only mentioned the US inheritance tax as an example during a normal conversation on TV. He emphasized that his comments had nothing to do with the policy of any party, including the Congress.

"It is unfortunate that what I said as an individual on inheritance tax in the US is twisted by Godi media to divert attention from what lies PM is spreading about Congress manifesto. PM’s comments Mangal Sutra & gold snatching is simply unreal. I mentioned US inheritance tax in the US only as an example in my normal conversation on TV. Can I not mention facts? I said these are the kind of issues people will have to discuss and debate. This has nothing to do with policy of any party including congress," Pitroda said in a post on X.

"Who said 55% will be taken away ? Who said some thing like this should be done in India ? Why is BJP and media in panic?" he asked.

Meanwhile, Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge said that the BJP is more concerned about concentrating wealth in a couple of industrialists' hands.

"I think what Sam Pitroda is trying to say is that the distribution of wealth should be equitable. The current regime is more concerned about concentrating wealth in a couple of industrialists' hands. Whereas we are concerned about distributing wealth to the marginalised people of society, irrespective of their caste or community. The idea is to empower people at the bottom of the pyramid to ensure that we have an equitable society - both socially and economically," he said.

The BJP, on the other hand, has criticized Pitroda's comments with party's IT Cell chief Amit Malviya, accusing the Congress of wanting to destroy India by advocating for a 50 per cent inheritance tax.

In a post on X, Amit Malviya said, "Congress has decided to destroy India. Now, Sam Pitroda advocates a 50 per cent inheritance tax for wealth redistribution. This means 50 per cent of whatever we build, with all our hard work and enterprise, will be taken away. 50 per cent, besides all the tax we pay, which too will go up, if Congress prevails."

Shehzad Poonawalla, BJP spokesperson, also criticized the Congress, claiming that the party wanted to grab the hard-earned resources of the people.

"Congress, through Sam Pitroda the closest aide of Gandhi Vadra family, is essentially saying that 55% of what you earn will be taken away on your death. If you are a farmer- 55% of your land will be taken If you are a businessman - 55% of your business will be taken 55% of your savings you kept for your children Ironically Gandhis built a huge treasury for their own children & son in law but they want to grab your hard earned tax payed resources," Poonawalla said in a post on X.

India does not have an inheritance or estate tax, as it was abolished in 1985.