Rahul Gandhi more intellectual, strategist when compared to father Rajiv Gandhi: Sam Pitroda

Sam Pitroda praises Rahul Gandhi's qualities as a future Prime Minister and discusses his upcoming U.S. visit.

Rahul Gandhi is more intellectual and more of a strategist as compared with his father Rajiv Gandhi, says long-time Gandhi family confidant Sam Pitroda, describing both leaders as "custodians of the idea of India".

In an interview with PTI, Mr. Pitroda also asserted that the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has all the qualities of a future Prime Minister.

Mr. Pitroda, the chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress, dismissed as "bogus" the BJP's attack on Rahul Gandhi in the past over his remarks critical of the government during his visits abroad.

Speaking about Mr. Gandhi's upcoming visit to the U.S. next week, Mr. Pitroda said he is not coming to the U.S. 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," the Indian Overseas Congress chief said of Gandhi's first visit to the U.S. since assuming the mantle of the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha.

Rahul Gandhi will visit the U.S. from September 8-10 during which he will hold numerous interactions in Washington DC and Dallas, including at the University of Georgetown and the University of Texas.

Asked about similarities and divergences between former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, Mr. Pitroda said he had worked with a number of Prime Ministers closely such as Rajiv Gandhi, PV Narasimha Rao, Manmohan Singh, VP Singh, Chandra Sekhar and HD Deve Gowda.