PM fighting imaginary ghosts, should debate 'real' issues in Cong manifesto: Chidambaram
New Delhi (PTI): Taking a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Sunday said the PM has imagined a Congress manifesto written by one of his ghost speech writers and he should debate the real issues included in the document.
Chidambaram's remarks come amid repeated attacks by the prime minister over Congress leader Sam Pitroda's 'inheritance tax' comments amid the row on the issue of 'wealth redistribution'.
"The Hon'ble Prime Minister continues to discover and read in the Congress' manifesto words and sentences that are not there! He has imagined a Congress' manifesto written by one of his ghost speech writers," Chidambaram, who was the chairman of the committee that drafted the Congress manifesto, said.
The phrase 'inheritance tax' does not occur anywhere in the manifesto, the former finance minister said in his post on X.
"The Congress' promises on taxation are quite clear: Bring an era of transparency, equity, clarity and impartial tax administration of Direct Taxes; Maintain stable personal income tax rates for the term of 5 years; Lessen the burden of tax on MSMEs," Chidambaram said.
He further said that the Congress promises to end the duplicitous 'cess' Raj of the Modi government and shopkeepers and retail businesses will be given significant tax relief and GST 2.0 will be introduced.
"It is disappointing to see the Hon'ble PM fight imaginary ghosts. He should debate the 'real' issues included in the Congress' Manifesto," Chidambaram said.
In a statement on Thursday, Chidambaram had said the "manufactured" controversies on 'redistribution of wealth' and 'inheritance tax' showed that fear has gripped the BJP, which has fallen back on distortion, falsehoods and abuse" as 'Modi ki Guarantee' has vanished without a trace.
Chidambaram had asserted that the document is religion-neutral and promises justice for all sections of the people.
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Congress and INDIA bloc will come to power and govern country: DK Shivakumar
Bengaluru, May 12: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Sunday asserted that his party along with the INDIA bloc will come to power and govern the country in the days ahead, after the ongoing Lok Sabha polls.
The state Congress chief also said that he and his party are not bothered by the BJP-JD(S) alliance continuing for the biennial election to six seats (three each from graduates' and teachers' constituencies) of the Karnataka Legislative Council on June 3.
"In my opinion, Congress party and the INDI Alliance will come to power. There is no chance for a BJP person to become the prime minister. This country will be governed under the leadership of the Congress party and the INDI Alliance hereon, we have that much confidence," Shivakumar said after a party meeting here.
He was responding to a question on AAP chief and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's comments asking the BJP as to who will be its next prime minister as Narendra Modi will have to retire next year as he attains 75 years of age.
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Meeting of party leaders and office bearers were held today regarding Legislative Council polls to elect members from graduates and teachers constituencies. Directions have been given to everyone to actively participate in this election without leaving it on the candidates, and responsibilities have been fixed, Shivakumar said.
Instructions have been given to hold the MLC polls too unitedly, like it was done in the case of Assembly and Parliament polls, he said.
Asked about the JD(S) and BJP alliance continuing in the MLC polls too, the KPCC chief said, "Let them be together permanently, we don't have any objections. Let them do anything, we are not bothered."
The party today announced former MLC Marithibbe Gowda, who quit JD(S) recently, as the party's candidate from the South Teachers' Constituency.
The Congress had already announced candidates to other five segments: Ramoji Gowda (Bengaluru Graduates'), Chandrashekara B Patil (North East Graduates'), Ayanur Manjunath (South-West Graduates'), K K Manjunath (South West Teachers'), and D T Srinivas (South East Teachers').
