Political war over Sardar Patel as Modi, PM cross swords in Gujarat

Modi says India would have been different had he been first PM , Manmohan Singh counters, asserts \Patel's vision was secular

A full blown political war has started over India's Iron-Man Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. It all began when BJP's prime ministerial candidate and Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi said that India's fortune would have been different had he (Sardar Patel) been the first prime minister of India. Soon after Modi's speech, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, quickly countered Modi's comment by saying that Sardar Patel was a member of Congress party and his vision was secular. Both the Prime Minister and BJP's PM candidate were speaking at the inaugural function of Sardar Patel museum in Ahmedabad on Tuesday.

Recalling an incident, which showed Sardar Patel's vision, Modi said, "In 1919, Sardar sahib was a municipal counsellor in Ahmedabad. At that time he had proposed for women's reservation in local bodies. This was his vision then. Imagine what all he could have given us. He also contributed a lot in urban and town planning as mayor of Ahmedabad."

"There would always be a regret among all Indians (for Patel not being the first PM of Independent India). If Sardar Sahab was the first prime minister of the country, the future of the country would have been different (Desh ki takdeer aur tasveer alag hoti)," Modi said in presence of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Governor Kamla Beniwal.

PM Manmohan Singh, however, seemed prepared for Modi's salvo. He immediately tackled Modi by saying that Sardar Patel was a Congressman and that his vision was secular. "Sardar Patel dedicated his entire life for the unity and integrity of India and for the people of all communities," the Prime Minister said.

Expressing his happiness for being with Congress party, Singh, added, "I am very happy with the fact that Sardar Patel's relation was with the same political party to which I belong. He worked tirelessly to strengthen the Indian National Congress." Right from the beginning of his speech, Modi took a dig at PM. "We are short of time but Prime Minister had to visit Rajiv Gandhi Bhavan before coming here," he said.  Though seen talking to each other frequently all through the inaugural function, both Modi and PM took turns to outdo each other in claiming Sardar Patel's legacy.

Later on in his tweet, Modi said that he was denied time to 'discuss crucial issues of Gujarat' by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who preferred to visit Congress headquarters in Ahmedabad instead. "Unfortunately, PM refused to give time to discuss Gujarat's key issues but preferred to visit Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan, the State Congress office," Modi said on his Twitter account. "We sought time from PM to discuss crucial issues of Gujarat including Narmada Dam height, farmer issues & floods but our request was denied," Gujarat CM complained.

Both Singh had come together for the inauguration of Sardar Patel Museum in Ahmedabad on Tuesday. The two leaders had shared the dais along with Gujarat governor Kamla Beniwal.

It may be mentioned here that Narendra Modi has planned a statue of Sardar Patel, billed as world's tallest structure, at Kevadia near Narmada Dam. The foundation stone laying ceremony of the statue is slated on October 31, which happens to be 138th birth anniversary of Sardar Parel. Modi has infact invited several union ministers of UPA government to attend the programme.