2 weeks ago
Last Updated: April 29, 2024, 11:32 IST
Prime Minister Narendra Modi during an exclusive interview to News18 Network18. (News18)
Sharing his views on the much-talked-about inheritance tax debate, PM Modi said while he was “talking about development and inheritance, they are talking of plundering that inheritance”
Wealth redistribution is a Maoist ideology that has never helped the world, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told Network18 in an exclusive interview as he slammed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s demand for a socio-economic survey to re-allocated resources.
“People who consider themselves political experts should ask such people that if the conditions you (Congress) describe are real, then you have been in power for 50-60 years. You gave birth to this. Why did you let it come to this?” the prime minister asked in response to a question by Network18’s Ground Editor Rahul Joshi.
“Secondly, X-ray means raiding every household. If any woman has hidden gold where she stores grains, even that will be X-rayed. The jewels will be confiscated. Land records will be scrutinised. And these will be redistributed. This Maoist ideology has never helped the world. This is an entirely ‘Urban Naxal’ thought,” he added.
The prime minister also tore into the Grand Old Party’s manifesto for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, saying it had the imprint of the Muslim League. “This is why the Jamaat, which usually keeps writing, kept quiet about the manifesto even after 10 days, because it will help them. They kept quiet to protect them. It then becomes my responsibility to awaken the country to the fact that they are planning to loot you. Dr Manmohan Singh has said clearly who has the first right on the country’s resources. They have clearly stated their intentions.”
Sharing his views on the much-talked-about inheritance tax debate, PM Modi said while he was “talking about development and inheritance, they are talking of plundering that inheritance”.
“Their [Congress] history till date is about doing what they have mentioned in the manifesto. It is my responsibility to tell the countrymen that they are taking the country in this direction. Now you decide whether you want to go or not. But it is my responsibility that on the basis of facts and importance, I should tell you [the truth].”
Indicating that BJP would never be on board the concept of inheritance tax, the prime minister said BJP’s vision for the country is clearly laid out in its manifesto. “What the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) plans to do is written in our manifesto… The ideology of the BJP is clear. We go before the country with our manifesto and works. Please don’t impose their great thoughts on us,” he said, referring to Congress leader Sam Pitroda’s remarks on inheritance tax.
Pitroda, US-based president of the Congress’s overseas wing, had recently spoken about inheritance tax in the US while delving into the issue of redistribution of wealth, triggering a political war of words and giving the BJP ammunition in the ongoing Lok Sabha polls.
In recent election rallies, the PM has highlighted Pitroda’s comments on “wealth redistribution”, saying “zindagi ke saath bhi, zindagi ke baad bhi” is the opposition party’s mantra to “loot” people.
“How does the thought that we will carry forward their plan even come to your mind?” the Prime Minister exclaimed during the interview to News18 Network.
The full interview will go live on News18 channels and digital platforms at 9pm on Monday, April 29.
Check Lok Sabha Election 2024 Phase 3 Schedule, Key Candidates And Constituencies At News18 Website.
