In a dramatic turn of events that could rival any daytime soap opera, Sam Pitroda, the proclaimed ideological guru of Rahul Gandhi and the brains behind many a Congress policy, has decided to hang up his boots as the chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress. His exit wasn't triggered by a newfound desire for retirement but by a storm of criticism over his racially charged comments about how people from different regions of India look.

Sam Pitroda’s resignation was quickly accepted by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, who perhaps saw it as an opportunity to save face amidst the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. Jairam Ramesh, the Congress party general secretary, was tasked with announcing this not-so-surprising twist. Ramesh carefully noted that Pitroda resigned completely "on his own accord," which in political speak might just mean, "Please leave before you cause us any more embarrassment."

The controversy began when Pitroda, in a moment of unfiltered honesty, made remarks that stereotyped Indians based on regional appearances. This gaffe was not just a faux pas but a full-blown political spectacle, sparking outrage far and wide, including from Prime Minister Narendra Modi who was quick to condemn the statements. Modi's condemnation added a serious tone to the issue, underlining that perhaps Pitroda's role as a political strategist should have included a chapter on 'Thinking Before Speaking.'

As Pitroda packs up his office, one can only imagine the sighs of relief mixed with groans of dismay within the Congress party. His departure marks yet another chapter in the saga of political blunders that seem to follow the party like a shadow. Perhaps this incident will lead to a new chapter in Congress’s strategy playbook: "How to Avoid Unnecessary Controversies During Elections 101."

In the latest episode of "What Will Sam Say Next?" Sam Pitroda, a long-standing advisor to Congress leaders and a serial controversy stirrer, has outdone himself, leading to his resignation from the post of chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress. His most recent faux pas? A geographical and racial stereotype parade where he claimed that Indians from the Eastern side of the country "resemble Chinese people," those in the West "appear Middle Eastern," North Indians look like ‘white people’ and those in the South are similar in appearance to the people of ‘Africa’.

It seems Mr. Pitroda, who is comfortably based in the United States, might have confused his role as a political advisor with that of a stand-up comedian attempting regional impersonations. During his tenure as Rajiv Gandhi's advisor, and later under Manmohan Singh's leadership heading the National Knowledge Commission, Pitroda apparently picked up more than just policy planning—namely, a penchant for dropping bombshells that leave everyone else scrambling for cover.

In 2009, after stepping into the role of advisor to then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on public information infrastructure, one might have thought he'd focus on networking technology rather than social stereotypes. Yet, here we are. Pitroda is no stranger to the limelight for the wrong reasons, but even by his standards, this blunder was a step too far, making the Congress party sprint to distance themselves faster than if they were running a relay race.

Describing the incident as "unfortunate" is perhaps an understatement. It's akin to calling a hurricane a slight breeze. This isn't just a minor slip; it's a full-on verbal faceplant that has the party leadership wincing and the opposition chuckling at the free ammunition.

What Sam Pitroda said

In a display of verbal acrobatics that would make even a seasoned circus performer envious, Sam Pitroda tried to explain how the Congress party has held India together for the last 75 years amidst its dazzling diversity. In an attempt to paint a picture of unity, Pitroda ended up drawing a controversial map of stereotypes. "We could hold the country as diverse as India together. Where people in the east look like the Chinese, people in the west look like the Arabs, people in the north look like, maybe, white and people in the south look like Africans. It does not matter. All of us are brothers and sisters. We respect different languages, different religions, different customs, different food," explained Pitroda, seemingly unaware of the uproar his geopolitical fashion show would cause.

Congress said Sam Pitroda's comment unfortunate

In what might be seen as a desperate bid to control damage that could potentially sink the party's ship faster than an iceberg at sea, Congress spokesperson Jairam Ramesh rushed to disown Pitroda's controversial commentary. "The analogies drawn by Mr. Sam Pitroda in a podcast to illustrate India's diversity are most unfortunate and unacceptable. The Indian National Congress completely dissociates itself from these analogies," declared Ramesh. It seems that Congress is trying to distance itself from Pitroda's faux pas as if it were a contagious disease, emphasizing that the unity they champion is not one of regional caricatures but of genuine diversity and respect.

Rahul Gandhi's Uncle Sam: PM Modi Mentions President Murmu

In a bold move that stirred the political pot even further, PM Modi, during his rallies in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, expressed his displeasure over comments made by Rahul Gandhi's "Uncle Sam" Pitroda about the skin color of Indians. He highlighted an even more sensitive issue by bringing up President Droupadi Murmu, suggesting that Congress's opposition to her presidential bid was rooted in bias linked to her dark skin. PM Modi questioned if such views were acceptable to the Congress chief ministers of Telangana and Karnataka, and whether Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin would reconsider his party's alliance with Congress in light of these comments.

This sharp critique by Modi seeks to underline a perceived inconsistency in Congress's advocacy for diversity and its actions, turning the political heat up a notch as he challenges regional leaders to take a stand against Pitroda's divisive remarks.

Racial Comment After Inheritance Tax Row

As if he hadn't already stirred enough controversy, Sam Pitroda's remarks on racial characteristics came hot on the heels of another contentious issue—the idea of an inheritance tax, which he discussed while the debate was still fresh. Speaking about the Congress manifesto, Pitroda explained the concept of inheritance tax as practiced in America. "In America, there is an inheritance tax. If one has 100 million USD worth of wealth and when he dies he can only transfer 45 percent to his children, 55 percent is grabbed by the government. That's an interesting law. It says you in your generation, made wealth and you are leaving now, you must leave your wealth for the public, not all of it, half of it, which to me sounds fair," Sam Pitroda remarked.

These comments were designed to spark a dialogue on wealth distribution, but coming from Pitroda, they also raised questions about timing and tact. Known for his gaffes, Pitroda's latest foray into tax policy discussion seemed almost like a strategic misstep, adding fuel to the fire of public and political scrutiny. As Congress attempts to navigate these turbulent waters, Pitroda’s penchant for provocative statements appears to be less a boon for forthright discussion and more a bane for his party's image.

The Inheritance Tax Controversy: Sam Pitroda's Comments Fuel Political Firestorm

Sam Pitroda, never far from the epicenter of controversy, rekindled public and political debate last month with his remarks on the U.S. inheritance tax. He described it as "an interesting law and could be among issues that people in India debate and discuss." This statement, seemingly innocuous, sparked a significant backlash as it touched on the sensitive subject of wealth and its distribution after death.

Seizing the opportunity to connect with the concerns of the common man, Prime Minister Modi launched a scathing attack at a rally in Chhattisgarh. He targeted the Gandhi family and Congress, painting them as eager to lay their hands on the wealth of everyday Indians. Modi dramatically portrayed the Congress policy proposal as a dire threat to familial wealth, emphasizing the impact on the middle class. “The advisor to the royal family prince, and advisor to the father of the prince, has said more taxes should be imposed on the middle class. Now these people have gone a step further. The Congress now says it will impose an inheritance tax. That it will impose tax on the inheritance received from parents. The property you have accumulated through your hard work will not be given to your children. The Congress claws will snatch that too from you,” Modi declared.

These comments by Modi not only intensified the debate around the inheritance tax but also strategically positioned him as the defender of the middle class's right to pass on their hard-earned wealth to their children. This move cleverly taps into a deep-seated fear of losing one’s lifetime accumulations to government policies perceived as overreaching.

In conclusion, Sam Pitroda's recent comments and the controversies surrounding them have not only stirred up existing political narratives but also deepened the ideological divides within Indian politics. As Congress and BJP continue to spar over these issues, the public discourse grows ever more polarized, reflecting the complexities and sensitivities of India's socio-economic landscape. Pitroda's penchant for sparking debate, whether intentional or accidental, seems to persistently place him at the heart of political storms, leaving Congress to manage the fallout.