After being called a ‘Gujarati friend’, PM Modi extends festival greetings to Sam Pitroda
The Indian Overseas Congress chief said he and his wife met Mr. Modi in the past and the Prime Minister had been very warm towards them.
Indian Overseas Congress chief Sam Pitroda
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday (November 12, 2026) conveyed Deepavali greetings to Sam Pitroda, a bitter critic of him and the BJP-led government, after the 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.
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
Earlier, Mr. Pitroda, a close associate of Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, said that Modi is a “Gujarati friend” and he respects him as a person.
Mr. Pitroda said he and his wife met Modi in the past and the Prime Minister 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," Mr. Pitroda was quoted as saying by a news agency.
After Mr. Modi's response to Mr. Pitroda, an X user named Mihir Jha posted with a crying emoji, "Sam Pitroda ko Diwali wish kar saktey hain toh humein bhi wish kar do Modi Ji."
To this, Mr. Modi replied, "Aapko Bhi Happy Diwali Mihir Bhai. Have a great festive season and year ahead" and added a grinning emoji.
- modi
- gujarati
- friend
- festival
- sam
- pitroda
- greeting
- indian
