In a spirited defense of Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, Indian Overseas Congress (IOC) chief Sam Pitroda declared that Gandhi is "no Pappu" during an address at a diaspora event in Texas on September 8. Pitroda emphasized that Rahul Gandhi is a visionary leader with strategic thinking, contrary to the derogatory label often associated with him by political rivals in India, particularly from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

"He has a vision contrary to what BJP promotes by spending crores of rupees. I must tell you, he is no Pappu. He is highly educated, well-read, a strategist with deep thinking on any subject, and sometimes it is not very easy to understand him," Pitroda said, lauding Gandhi's intellectual depth and commitment to inclusivity and diversity in his political agenda.

The term "Pappu," used frequently by BJP leaders, aims to portray Gandhi as lacking political acumen. His occasional gaffes in public have led to this label being amplified by his critics. However, Pitroda countered this image by pointing out Gandhi?s focus on social issues like inclusion and the celebration of India's diversity, areas that he argued the BJP has overlooked.

In his speech, Pitroda also warned about the importance of protecting democracy, stressing that it requires sustained effort and vigilance. "Democracy is not that simple? we can't take it for granted because there are people focused on hijacking democracy. We have seen it in many countries," he added, invoking the legacy of leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Sardar Patel, who played crucial roles in shaping India's post-independence democratic vision.

The event was part of Rahul Gandhi?s broader visit to the United States, where he engaged with the Indian diaspora and discussed key challenges facing the country. Pitroda urged the Indian diaspora to strengthen their involvement with the Indian Overseas Congress and contribute to upholding democratic values.