A contentious debate has ignited following Indian Overseas Congress chief Sam Pitroda’s proposal for an inheritance tax akin to the United States, as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) issues a caution against “property snatchers”.
Amidst ongoing political discourse surrounding Congress’s pledge for “wealth redistribution”, Sam Pitroda, chairperson of Indian Overseas Congress, has advocated for the adoption of a system similar to the inheritance tax in the United States. However, his remarks have met with criticism from the BJP, while the Congress has distanced itself from his stance.
During an interview with ANI, Pitroda defended Congress’s electoral promise, asserting that the redistribution of wealth was not solely in the interest of the affluent but for the benefit of the populace at large. He elaborated on the concept of inheritance tax prevalent in select American states, highlighting its implications on wealth transfer to future generations.
“In India, you don’t have that. If somebody is worth 10 billion, and he dies, his children get 10 billion and the public gets nothing… So these are the kind of issues people will have to debate and discuss,” Pitroda emphasized.
The BJP swiftly responded to Pitroda’s remarks, cautioning against what they termed as “property snatchers”. BJP spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill tweeted, “Voting for Congress = Losing your Money + Property + Belongings! Voters be aware, property snatchers are here!”
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also weighed in on the controversy, urging Congress to retract its proposal for a financial survey from its manifesto.
Amidst the escalating tension, Pitroda clarified that his reference to the US inheritance tax was not linked to the Congress manifesto. Reacting to BJP’s criticism, Pitroda defended his remarks, stating, “This has nothing to do with the policy of any party, including Congress.”
In response, the Congress sought to mitigate the fallout, asserting that Pitroda’s views were not necessarily reflective of the party’s stance. Congress communications in-charge Jairam Ramesh emphasized that Pitroda’s opinions were his own and not always aligned with the party’s position.
The debate over inheritance tax in India has rekindled discussions on wealth distribution and taxation policies, highlighting divergent perspectives within the political spectrum.