‘Inheritance tax’ to ‘selfish middle class,’ 6 remarks by Sam Pitroda that put Congress on the back foot

Sam Pitroda, chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress, clarified on April 24 that his statement on US inheritance tax was twisted to ‘deflect attention’ from the core issues.

Pitroda’s clarification came after the Congress party itself from his remarks and after the (BJP) leaders slammed him over his remarks on the redistribution of wealth.

Pitroda had, in an interview, reportedly advocated a US-type inheritance tax law in the country, even as the Congress party said his views did not always reflect the party's position. refers to a state levy on the assets an individual receives as part of an inheritance. The US has no central inheritance tax, though some states have it. 

Pitroda's comments in this election year have sparked a political row, with top BJP leaders, including the Prime Minister and the Home Minister, hitting out at the Congress party. Addressing a poll rally at Chhattisgarh's Surguja, targeted the Congress party on Pitroda's remarks. He said the grand old party's “dangerous intentions" in the election manifesto were coming out in the open.

Pitroda, on April 23, seemingly backed the Congress party’s stand on redistribution of wealth and advocated an inheritance tax law in the country while elaborating on the concept of inheritance tax prevailing in the United States. 

The statement assumes significance because Prime Minister had accused Congress of planning to redistribute the wealth of people among “those with more children," a charge the grand old party has denied.

“In America, there is an inheritance tax. If one has 100 million USD worth of wealth and when he dies, he can only transfer probably 45 percent to his children, 55 percent is grabbed by the government. That's an interesting law. It says you, in