• Pitroda calls PM Modi a personal friend and fellow Gujarati.
• Both exchanged Diwali and Gujarati New Year greetings.
• Pitroda rules out leaving the Congress.
• He clarifies his remarks on the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 13th Nov: Sam Pitroda has described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a personal friend and fellow Gujarati, saying their political differences do not affect their personal relationship. He also ruled out leaving the Congress following their exchange of Diwali greetings.

In an interview with NDTV, Pitroda said he had known Modi for a long time, even before he became Prime Minister, and had visited his home.

The remarks came after PM Modi extended Diwali and Gujarati New Year greetings to Pitroda and his wife, Anjana Ben, through a post on X. Pitroda reciprocated, wishing the Prime Minister good health and a long life.

Calling PM Modi a friend and well-wisher, Pitroda said he had no personal differences with him despite their contrasting political ideologies. He also questioned the controversy surrounding the exchange, describing the Prime Minister as hardworking and a good orator.

The exchange attracted political attention amid continuing BJP criticism of Pitroda and the Congress. The BJP has accused the Congress of links with foreign forces, a charge Pitroda has rejected as baseless. He has also faced criticism over his role in Rahul Gandhi’s overseas visits.

Pitroda strongly dismissed speculation that his praise for Modi indicated a possible political shift. Responding to Congress leader Hussain Dalwai’s suggestion that he could switch sides, Pitroda said he would remain with the Congress.

He also clarified his earlier remarks on the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, which had triggered criticism after he questioned why the issue should be discussed four decades later. Pitroda said his comments were taken out of context and that he had intended to stress the need to focus on the future, not ignore past events.

The Congress leader accused sections of the media of taking his statements out of context and focusing on controversy.