Senior Congress leader Sam Pitroda Sunday said party chief Rahul Gandhi was "very educated and intelligent" and that the country needed young leaders like him.

He hit out at the BJP for personal attacks on opposition leaders, including Gandhi, who is often dubbed "pappu" on social media by the saffron party's supporters.

"I have great confidence in Rahul, contrary to what BJP has been saying against him for the last ten years. He is not pappu. He is a highly educated, intelligent young man and India needs such young leaders," Pitroda, also Indian Overseas Congress chief, told reporters.

The 77-year-old technocrat said "I have worked with Rahul's grandmother (Indira Gandhi) and his father (Rajiv Gandhi). I have also spent a lot of time with Rahul on discussions on how to take country forward."

Pitroda added that the country needed leaders well- versed in technology than those who are equipped with "jumlas" (poll rhetoric).

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