Sam Pitroda, a veteran Congressman and the chief of the party’s overseas unit, has announced his resignation following a storm of controversy over his recent remarks that were deemed racist. The remarks, made in an exclusive interview with The Statesman, sparked a political row amid India’s massive seven-phase election.
The Congress party faced criticism from leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who accused the Congress of promoting divisive practices. Pitroda’s comments, where he described India’s diversity by referring to people from different regions and likening their appearances to various ethnicities, were labeled as racist and drew widespread condemnation.
The announcement of Pitroda’s resignation was made in a brief post on X by the party’s communications-in-charge, Jairam Ramesh. The post stated, “Mr. Sam Pitroda has decided to step down as Chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress of his own accord. The Congress President has accepted his decision.”
This controversy adds to the challenges faced by the Congress party, which was already grappling with previous comments made by Pitroda regarding inheritance tax, drawing criticism from the BJP and other political opponents. Pitroda’s remarks on economic policies and wealth distribution also drew sharp responses, with PM Modi suggesting that the Congress would redistribute personal wealth among “infiltrators” if elected.
The Congress swiftly distanced itself from Pitroda’s comments, emphasizing that his remarks were unacceptable and did not reflect the party’s stance. However, these out-of-turn comments have proven to be a recurring challenge for the Congress during the election period.
Sources By Agencies