Rahul Gandhi more intellectual than his father Rajiv Gandhi: Sam Pitroda

Indian Overseas Congress chairman Sam Pitroda

In a recent interaction, Sam Pitroda, a veteran associate of the Gandhi family, drew comparisons between Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and his father and former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

Pitroda said that the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has all the qualities of a future Prime Minister. Describing both Rahul and Rajiv as "custodians of the idea of India", Pitroda noted that the 54-year-old leader is more intellectual and more of a strategist as compared with his father.

The chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress also shared details about Rahul Gandhi's upcoming US visit, which is set to take place between September 8-10. Pitroda said that Rahul Gandhi is not coming to the US in his official capacity but will have a chance to interact with a variety of people on Capitol Hill at an "individual level".

"He (Gandhi) will definitely have interactions with the press at the national press club, he will meet with the think tank people and will also have interaction at Georgetown University which is equally important in Washington DC," Pitroda told news agency PTI.

During his upcoming visit, Gandhi is scheduled to hold numerous interactions in Washington DC and Dallas, including at the University of Georgetown and the University of Texas.

When questioned about the similarities and differences between former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, Pitroda noted his extensive experience working closely with multiple Prime Ministers. He listed several leaders he had collaborated with, including Rajiv Gandhi, PV Narasimha Rao, Manmohan Singh, VP Singh, Chandra Shekhar, and HD Deve Gowda.

"I had an opportunity to see many Prime Ministers from very close quarters but the difference between Rahul and Rajiv maybe is that Rahul is much more intellectual, thinker, Rajiv was a little more doer. They have the same DNA, they have the same concerns and feelings for the people, they genuinely believe in building a better India for everybody, they are genuinely simple people. They don't have big personal needs," the Congress leader told PTI from Chicago.

Rahul is a strategist more so than Rajiv was, he said, adding that the two leaders are products of different times, different tools, different experiences.