Cong leader Sam Pitroda slams BJP, media for twisting his words on US inheritance tax
New Delhi: In response to severe criticism by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for his statement on the inheritance tax in the US during a recent interview, Chairman of Indian Overseas Congress Sam Pitroda hit back on Wednesday, alleging that his words had been tweaked by the media in order to divert attention from the 'lies that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was spreading' about the Congress party's manifesto for the current Lok Sabha elections.
Pitroda, in a post on his personal account on 'X' on Wednesday, clarified that his statement during the interview had nothing to do with either the Congress party or its election manifesto. "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," Pitroda has posted.
Pitroda had said during the interview that there was inheritance tax in the US, which could be an interesting topic of discussion for the people, explaining further, “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 and 55% goes to the government. That’s an interesting law."
He added that about half the wealth earned by a person in his or her lifetime would pass on to the public after the death of the person. Calling it a fair legal procedure, Pitroda said, "In India, you don’t have that. If somebody is worth 10 billion and he dies, his children get 10 billion and people get nothing… So, these are the kind of issues people will have to debate and discuss."
The BJP slammed Pitroda for his comments, with party spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla saying that the Congress aimed at grabbing the people's hard-earned money.
BJP's IT cell chief, Amit Malviya posted on his account on Wednesday, "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."
Asking if the BJP and the media were panicking due to his statement and pointing out that he was merely stating facts, Pitroda hit back, asking, "Who said 55% will be taken away? Who said something like this should be done in India?"
The Congress has also criticized the BJP for sensationalizing Pitroda's words and putting them out of context.
Party spokesperson Jairam Ramesh, in his tweet on Wednesday, concurred with the senior Congressman, stating that his words in the interview were not presented on behalf of the party. He has called it a desperate attempt by the BJP to divert attention from Modi's 'malicious and mischievous election campaign'.
Ramesh posted, "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. This does not mean that Mr. Pitroda’s views always reflect the position of the Indian National Congress. Many times they do not."
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.
— Sam Pitroda (@sampitroda) April 24, 2024
#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
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Hemant Karkare killed by RSS-linked cop, not Kasab: Maharashtra LoP Vijay Wadettiwar
BJP writes to ECI for action against Cong leader Wadettiwar for 'defaming' Ujjwal Nikam
Mumbai, May 5: The BJP has written to the Election Commission of India seeking action against Congress and the opposition leader, Vijay Wadettiwar, for allegedly peddling lies and defaming its Mumbai North Central nominee and ex-26/11 prosecution lawyer Ujjwal Nikam.
Wadettiwar, the leader of the opposition in the Maharashtra legislative assembly, purportedly called Nikam an "anti-national" and accused him of hiding the information that then Maharashtra ATS chief Hemant Karkare wasn't killed by Kasab's bullet during the 26/11 terror attack, but fell to a bullet of a policeman affiliated to RSS.
His allegations were based on the book "Who Killed Karkare" written by retired police officer SM Mushriff.
"As a responsible leader, the opposition leader should desist from making such comments that can help the enemy nation," Nikam said.
Terming Wadettiwar's statements as "false and not based on facts", Mumbai BJP president Ashish Shekar claimed they were aimed at defaming Ujjwal Nikam and inciting emotions.
"We have written to the Election Commission of India seeking action against Wadettiwar who is a star campaigner (of Congress) and also against the Congress party for peddling lies," he added.
Shelar further said (Ajmal) Kasab was sentenced to death for killing innocent people after following a due process of law.
Kasab was the lone terrorist who was captured alive by Mumbai Police during the 26/11 terror attack by Pakistani terrorists in which at least 166 people were killed and several others were injured.
Shelar wondered whether Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray supported the statement made by the Congress leader.
A former special public prosecutor, Nikam had represented the state in high-profile cases like the Mumbai serial bomb blasts and the 2008 Mumbai terror attack.
He is making his political foray from Mumbai North Central seat on a BJP ticket and is pitted against city Congress chief Varsha Gaikwad.
