Focus should be on issues, not individuals: Pitroda

WorldTel chairman Sam Pitroda, who has been roped in by Congress to campaign for it in the parliamentary elections, on Monday said it is unfortunate that this poll is fought projecting an individual and his achievements as the main issue.

India, he said, is bigger than any individual of any magnitude and it is sad that politicians are discussing the personalities of two people instead of speaking about issues.

Pitroda said instead of focusing on individuals, parties should discuss issues. "But still I believe this election will be fought over the issues of religion and science and tradition and technology," Pitroda said.

He said while the BJP is talking about religion and tradition, Congress is focusing on science and technology.

"Technology is the answer to water scarcity, environment degradation, health problems and joblessness," he said.

Pitroda told reporters that the allegations made over the Bofors case are "all lies" and truth will finally prevail.

He said the issue almost cost the former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi his life and even now allegations were levelled against him.

"People create such issues intentionally, but what is worse is there are many who believe the propaganda. The truth will, however, prevail," he said.

Maintaining that he had no intention to join active politics as he "was too old for politics," Pitroda, 62, said he does not even aspire for a Rajya Sabha seat.

"But I will always be there to intervene and help where my services are required," Pitroda said.

On Sonia Gandhi's foreign origin, Pitroda said this is a petty issue that has been deliberately blown out of proportion by the BJP.

"Mother Teresa and Annie Besant have spent their entire lives working for the people of India," he said.

Pitroda said the anti-outsourcing movement in the Unites States is a temporary phenomenon. "For every one dollar of work that the US outsources to India, it earns three dollars. This movement will die down by itself, as it defeats the interests of the US," he said.

Political parties should discuss creating 100 lakh joins in the information technology sector. This is where the $100 billion foreign exchange reserves must be used, he said.