'Gathbandhan' has common goal to oust Modi, will come together at right time: Sam Pitroda

Congress leader Sam Pitroda on party president Rahul Gandhi’s citizenship issue said how can someone sit in parliament for 15 years if he is not an Indian citizen. “He has been member of parliament for 15 years, you sat with him in the parliament. You worked with him in parliament. Why did you wake up today with lies? You think people are stupid? Don’t underestimate intelligence of Indian people,” news agency ANI quoted Pitroda as saying.

Chief of Indian Overseas Congress Pitroda said the Congress party is winning the elections. “Based on our assessment we believe we are winning. We are winning because at the ground level reality is very different from what the media is portraying. People at the bottom have figured this out that Modi Govt did not deliver,” he said.

Reacting to Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati speech where they slammed Congress, Pitroda said that there is nothing to worry about. “I don’t think there anything to worry, they will all come together at the right time, I can assure you. All are clear on the common goal, they all want democracy, they all want inclusion, they all want peace,” he said.

Pitroda had earlier Rahul Gandhi has experienced the trauma of terrorism and those questioning him in the matter should feel ashamed. The remarks come at a time when Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other BJP leaders had often attacked the Congress president on the issue of terrorism and national security in the run up to Lok Sabha elections.

In an interview to PTI, Pitroda had said Rahul Gandhi lost his grandmother (Indira Gandhi) and father (Rajiv Gandhi) to terrorism and that the leader understands the trauma and suffering associated with it. He said those doubting Rahul Gandhi's nationalism should be ashamed of themselves.

Seven-phase elections, which began on April 11, will end on May 19. Results will be declared on May 23.