PM Modi wishes Sam Pitroda on Diwali after Congress leader calls him ‘Gujurati friend’
Prime Minister Narendra Modi exchanged Diwali and Gujarati New Year greetings with Indian Overseas Congress chief Sam Pitroda and his wife, Anjana, after the Congress leader spoke warmly about his personal equation with the Prime Minister despite their political differences.
PM Modi responded to Pitroda’s remarks on Thursday by wishing the couple happiness and good health. He also extended greetings for Nutan Varsh, the Gujarati New Year.
“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 Prime Minister wrote in a post on X.
Happy Diwali and Nutan Varsh Abhinandan to you Sam Bhai and to Anjana Ben.
Praying for a joyful and healthy year ahead.
Jai Jagannath!
@sampitroda
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 12, 2026
The exchange followed an interview Pitroda gave to news agency IANS, in which he described PM Modi as a “Gujarati friend” and said their differences did not affect their personal relationship.
Pitroda said he respected Modi as an individual and recalled that the Prime Minister had always been warm and considerate towards him and his wife.
“He is a Gujarati friend. I respect him as a person. My wife and I have met him. He has been very warm, kind, loving and caring at a personal level,” Pitroda said.
He also described PM Modi as a good speaker and a hard-working person, adding that the two had no personal disagreements.
The Congress leader said he had visited PM Modi’s residence in Gujarat several times and appreciated the way the Prime Minister had treated him.
Pitroda clarified that his criticism of PM Modi was linked to the his political beliefs and ideology rather than any personal disagreement.
“But I may have issues with his views of the world. I may have issues with his ideology. But that’s a separate issue; that’s not against the individual. It’s against the idea. And these are two separate things,” he said.
He added that political disagreements did not prevent the two from sharing a friendly interaction.
“I can disagree with Mr Modi, and I can also have dinner with him and have a laugh. So I have no issues,” Pitroda said.
The Congress leader had also wished PM Modi good health in October 2026, when the Prime Minister completed 25 years in government.