‘Happy Diwali, Sam Bhai’: Modi Greets Pitroda After He Calls PM A ‘Gujarati Friend’

Last Updated:November 12, 2026, 1:57 PM IST

Pitroda further said that he respects PM Modi as a person and that the prime minister has been “very warm, kind, loving and caring at a personal level”.

File image of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indian Overseas Congress chief Sam Pitroda. (Source: PTI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday exchanged Diwali and New Year greetings with Indian Overseas Congress chief Sam Pitroda and his wife, Anjana, following the Congress leader’s remarks praising the Prime Minister’s personal warmth and cordial relationship with him.

Responding to Pitroda’s comments, PM Modi wished the couple a happy Diwali and extended his greetings for the Gujarati New Year, also known as Nutan Varsh Abhinandan.

“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 on X.

The exchange came after Pitroda, in an interview with news agency IANS, described PM Modi as a “Gujarati friend” and said he had no issues with him at an individual level, despite their political and ideological differences.

Pitroda further said that he respects PM Modi as a person and that the prime minister has been “very warm, kind, loving and caring at a personal level“.

“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. 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…” Pitroda said.

The Congress leader made it clear that his criticism of the Prime Minister was directed at his political outlook and ideology, not at him personally.

“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 said the two could disagree on issues and still share a friendly equation.

“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.

Pitroda had also wished Modi good health in October 2026, when the Prime Minister completed 25 years at the helm of government.

With inputs from PTI

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What remarks did Sam Pitroda make about Prime Minister Narendra Modi?

Sam Pitroda described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “Gujarati friend” and praised him for being very warm, kind, loving, and caring at a personal level. He noted that despite their political and ideological differences, he respects Modi as a person and has no personal issues with him.

How did Prime Minister Narendra Modi respond to Sam Pitroda’s comments?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi responded to the comments by exchanging Diwali and Gujarati New Year greetings with Sam Pitroda and his wife, Anjana. He addressed Pitroda as “Sam Bhai” and extended warm wishes for a joyful and healthy year ahead on X.

What distinction did Sam Pitroda make regarding his criticism of the Prime Minister?

Sam Pitroda clarified that his criticism is directed exclusively at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s political outlook, worldview, and ideology rather than at him as an individual. He emphasized that individuals can disagree on political ideas while still maintaining a friendly personal equation and sharing dinner.

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