No political motive behind statue of Patel: Gujarat BJP leader

Ruling out any political motive behind the construction of the statue of Sardar Patel, Gujarat BJP vice-president I K Jadeja today said it was not for the state alone, but for the whole nation.
"We have sought the cooperation and support of all states and hope that states will extend support to the project," Jadeja, also the Gujarat Golden Jubilee Celebration Committee chairman, said.
There was no political motive behind construction of the statue. The statue was not for Gujarat alone, but for the whole nation with message of unity and integrity of the country, he said, addressing a joint press conference along with Gujarat Minister for Agriculture Babhubhai Bokhiriya.

Asked whether the road-show of the 'Statue of Unity' has anything to do with projecting Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi as Prime Minister of the country, Jadeja said the project was to give a fitting tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
Bokhiriya said they would meet Chief Minister Oommen Chandy to seek his support and co-operation for the project.
"We have come here with a positive attitude," he said, when pointed out about the cancellation of a trip to Surat by some Kerala legislators apparently due to political reasons.
"In fact, we want the entire Kerala legislators to become part of the project," he added.

Gujarat is set to build the 182-metre tall statue of Sardar Patel, the world's tallest one, as a tribute to the 'Iron man of India' near Bharuch. It has been conceptualised by BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi.