After Sam Pitroda calls Modi 'Gujarati friend', PM sends Diwali wishes to Congress leader, wife

Explained

Congress leader Sam Pitroda has publicly praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the Prime Minister has responded with festive greetings. Coverage of the exchange has focused on its warm, personal tone despite political differences between the two men.

What happened

According to Hindustan Times, Pitroda referred to Modi as a "Gujarati friend," and Modi then sent Diwali wishes to Pitroda and his wife. The newspaper said the gesture showed that political disagreements had not prevented the two from keeping a friendly personal relationship.

Times of India reported the same sequence with some differences. It said Modi extended Diwali and Gujarati New Year greetings to Pitroda after the Congress leader spoke warmly about their personal rapport. It also described a lighter moment: an X user asked for festive wishes too, and the Prime Minister replied. That report did not say what the reply contained.

Where the accounts differ

The two reports do not match in every detail. Hindustan Times says the Diwali wishes went to Pitroda and his wife, while Times of India mentions greetings to Pitroda alone. Times of India includes Gujarati New Year wishes, which Hindustan Times does not mention. The two outlets also emphasise different aspects: one highlights the personal relationship across political lines, the other the social media exchange.

Other context

The Hindu separately reported on 9 November that a Congress leader had criticised Modi and called for accountability on key issues. That report predates the greetings story by three days and, based on the summary available, does not mention Pitroda or the festive exchange. None of the reports directly connects the two stories.

What we don't know yet

The reports do not say what Modi wrote in reply to the X user, or whether Pitroda responded further. They also do not indicate whether the exchange reflects any broader shift in relations between the two parties.

Written by the 91News.in desk with AI assistance, based on reports from Hindustan Times, Times of India, The Hindu. Updated 12 Nov 2026, 10:05 pm. Spotted an error? Tell us.