Congress leader Sam Pitroda says personal Diwali wishes to PM Modi are separate from party politics
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Sam Pitroda told NDTV that his festive greetings to Prime Minister Narendra Modi were a personal gesture and should not be tied to Congress’s political line, underscoring that human relationships should not be swallowed by partisan conflict.
Congress overseas chief Sam Pitroda said his exchange of Diwali and New Year wishes with Prime Minister Narendra Modi drew more attention than it deserved, stressing that the interaction was entirely personal and human.
"I am surprised by the attention that exchange of Diwali and New Year wishes with Prime Minister Narendra Modi had attracted," Pitroda told NDTV, adding that he can keep personal relations separate from political rivalries. He called the greeting "a very human thing" and said he has long regarded Modi as a friend and well-wisher, preserving personal equations even amid political disagreements.
Pitroda said Modi had been warm and welcoming to him and his wife, though they have not met since Modi assumed office. "He was gracious enough to send a message to me and my wife. I reciprocated. It's a very human thing to do," he said, noting that he and his wife have relationships with several Gujarati politicians.
When asked about the contrast between his personal praise and Congress's criticism of the Prime Minister, Pitroda said the two should be seen separately. "That's the party's relationship with him, not mine. I can comment on my relationship, not the Congress's relationship with him," he said.
He also laid out ideological differences, arguing that religion should not dominate politics. "My idea of India is different. I don't believe in putting religion in front of politics. As a Prime Minister, I would not spend so much time on temples and pujas. The Prime Minister is the Prime Minister for everybody. That is my idea," he said, adding that too much religious discussion deepens social divisions.
Pitroda rejected claims that his greeting was an attempt to soften party divides, stating, "No. This was just a human conversation. The exchange was between Sam Pitroda and Narendra bhai. It has nothing to do with the party." He also said his own phone had been targeted by surveillance, though he did not directly blame any individual.
Regarding Rahul Gandhi's upcoming U.S. visit, Pitroda said the Congress leader would discuss a range of issues and meet students and think-tanks, asserting that the party's agenda is centered on "democracy, diversity and inclusion."