Inheritance tax has never removed poverty, says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking to the renowned news paper dismissed the notion of taxing inheritance as a solution to inequality or poverty. He emphasized that such taxes have historically failed to alleviate poverty, stating, “I do not think they are solutions by any stretch of the imagination.” Modi expressed concerns that policies like inheritance tax and wealth tax only breed discord, hinder equity, and disrupt the economic and social fabric of a nation.

The debate over inheritance and wealth taxes has become central to India’s ongoing election campaign, with Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition Congress trading accusations on their stance regarding these taxes.

As campaigning intensifies following the first phase of polling on April 19, Modi has accused Congress of favoring minority Muslims and attempting to weaken affirmative action. In response, the opposition has criticized Modi, alleging that he is resorting to divisive rhetoric to divert attention from pressing issues like unemployment, inflation, and rural distress.

Concerns have arisen over lower voter turnout compared to the 2019 elections, prompting the election commission and political parties to speculate that factors such as rising temperatures and wedding season in some regions may be deterring voters. With the third phase of voting scheduled for May 7, the election landscape continues to evolve.