Prime Minister Narendra Modi responded to Diwali greetings from Indian Overseas Congress chief Sam Pitroda, addressing him as “Sam Bhai” and wishing him and his wife, Anjana Ben, a joyful and healthy year ahead.
"Happy Diwali and Nutan Varsh Abhinandan to you Sam Bhai and to Anjana Ben. Praying for a joyful and healthy year ahead. Jai Jagannath," said the PM in a post on X.
The Prime Minister’s response comes against the backdrop of Pitroda’s remarks about his personal equation with Modi, in which the Congress leader described him as warm, kind and caring despite their political differences.
Pitroda said he respected Modi as a person and had no personal differences with him. Recalling their interactions, he said he and his wife had met the Prime Minister several times and that he had always been warm towards them.
“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.
Describing Modi as a good orator and a hard-working person, Pitroda said the two shared a cordial personal relationship.
“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,” he said, adding that he had visited Modi’s residence in Gujarat several times.
