Now Rahul Gandhi’s Mentor Sam Pitroda Too Reaches Out To PM Modi

PM Narendra Modi created political flutter of sorts when he conveyed Diwali greetings to his once bitter critic Sam Pitroda soon after the Chicago-based Indian Overseas Congress chief described him as a “Gujarati friend”. “Happy Diwali and Nutan Varsh Abhinandan to you Sam Bhai and to Anjana Ben. Praying for a joyful and healthy year ahead. Jai Jagannath,” Modi said in a post on X.  Pitroda, a close associate of LoP Rahul Gandhi, said that Modi is a Gujarati friend and he respects him as a person. Hailing from Odisha, Pitroda said he and his wife had met Modi in the past and that the PM had been very warm towards them. “I have nothing against Mr Modi as a Gujarati leader, friend or well-wisher. He has been very warm towards me, and I appreciate that. Similarly, I have been to his house in Gujarat several times,” said Pitroda. Pitroda’s words of praise for Modi stunned the Congress circles — that too just days ahead of Rahul’s visit to the U.S. In fact, only recently Pitroda had given out details about Rahul’s U.S. tour. Such as   how he was going to have a fireside chat in Columbia University on Nov 17 focussing on global student’s movements, perhaps briefing them about his SIR protests in Delhi. Was Pitroda merely trying to please the diaspora in the U.S.? Or has he really fallen out with the Gandhis?  Otherwise there was no reason for Pitroda to cosy up to Modi. Maybe Pitroda did have good reason to sulk as he finds no mention in Sonia’s book. Nor do many Rajiv loyalists who made his team.