Modi’s Diwali message to Sam Pitroda highlights the contrast between civility and Congress’s endless bitterness
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended a Diwali greeting to Sam Pitroda on X even as the Congress figure continued defending his party’s talking points and attacking criticism from the BJP.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted a Diwali greeting to Sam Pitroda on the social platform X, writing, "Happy Diwali and Nutan Varsh Abhinandan to you Sam Bhai and to Anjana Ben. Praying for a joyful and healthy year ahead. Jai Jagannath!" The gesture stood out because Pitroda, a former technology minister and Congress party member, had already been making political remarks in defense of his side. He said he holds no personal grudge against Modi, called the prime minister "very warm," and noted that he has visited Modi's home in Gujarat. At the same time, he admitted that he disagrees with Modi's worldview and ideology, while trying to separate those disputes from personal relations, saying, "I can disagree with Mr Modi and I can also have dinner with him… and a laugh."
Pitroda made the comments while defending Congress leader Sonia Gandhi's memoir, which the BJP has criticized for allegedly justifying the 1975 Emergency and the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. He described the book as "full of love, courage, commitment, conviction and character" and urged generosity toward authors before commenting. Earlier, Pitroda dismissed allegations of foreign funding against Rahul Gandhi and the INDIA bloc as "bogus," asserting that there is no foreign money or advice influencing the party.