The importance of being Sam Pitroda: Overseas links, academic network, plus proximity to Gandhis

A DAY after the Congress reappointed Sam Pitroda as chairman of its overseas unit, the BJP said this was an endorsement by the party of “all the objectionable and unsavoury” remarks he had made about Indians, the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, and the Pulwama terror attack.

The BJP also asked whether the Congress statement “distancing” itself from Pitroda’s remarks during the Lok Sabha campaign was “just to fool and confuse”

the people of the country. Its spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said: “As soon as the elections are over and Rahul Gandhi is made the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, the Congress reappointed Sam Pitroda as chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress as he is Rahul Gandhi’s mentor, advisor and guru.”

Pitroda’s reappointment came weeks after he had resigned following yet another controversy over his remarks, in the middle of elections. The party’s communications in-charge, Jairam Ramesh, said the Congress reappointed Pitroda “on the assurance that he will not in future leave room… (for) controversies to arise”.

But why is the 81-year-old Pitroda so important to the Congress that it has brought him back just days after the election results, leaving itself open to BJP attacks?

As per Congress sources, the reason is Pitroda’s network abroad, which the top party leadership sees as beneficial in spreading its message beyond the country’s shores.

“If you see who Pitroda is, you will understand why the Congress cannot let him go. He has connections with academic circles in foreign countries, especially the West. He helps the party plan events in foreign countries. He has good connections within the diplomatic community too,” a Congress leader said.

Pitroda, in fact, is the main organiser of Rahul Gandhi’s visits abroad,