Modi and Pitroda exchange festive greetings amid political differences. (Img: IANS)
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday extended Diwali and Gujarati New Year greetings to Indian Overseas Congress chief Sam Pitroda, following a video in which the Congress leader spoke about his personal relationship with the Prime Minister.
Responding to Pitroda's remarks, Modi shared a festive message on 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!"
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 Prime Minister also shared a video featuring Pitroda's comments, in which the Congress leader described Modi as a "Gujarati friend" and spoke about their interactions outside politics.
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"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. Of course, he is a good orator and hard-working, and we get along well. We have no personal issues," Pitroda said.
"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," he added.
The exchange also prompted a light-hearted interaction with an X user. Reacting to Modi's post, Mihir Jha wrote in Hindi, "If you can wish Sam Pitroda a Happy Diwali, wish us one too, Modi Ji."
Modi responded, "Aapko bhi Happy Diwali, Mihir Bhai. Have a great festive season and year ahead," adding a smiling emoji.
Aapko Bhi Happy Diwali Mihir Bhai. Have a great festive season and year ahead. 😁
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 12, 2026
The cordial exchange comes against the backdrop of repeated political confrontations between Modi and Pitroda.
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During the 2024 Lok Sabha election campaign, Modi criticised Pitroda over his controversial remarks comparing the physical appearances of Indians from different regions with Africans, Chinese, Arabs and Europeans.
Addressing a rally in Warangal, Telangana, Modi attacked the Congress leader, referring to him as Rahul Gandhi's uncle in America and asserting that he would not tolerate insults against Indians based on skin colour.
Pitroda subsequently resigned as Indian Overseas Congress chairman but was reinstated weeks later.
His comments on inheritance tax in the US also triggered a political controversy, with Modi using them to target the Congress over alleged wealth redistribution plans.
The two had clashed earlier during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections as well. Modi criticised Pitroda's "hua toh hua" remark on the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, calling it reflective of the Congress leadership's arrogance. Pitroda later apologised.
