Observing that the English rulers did not intend to see India remain "Akhand" post-Independence, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today said it was Sardar Patel who united the country.
"...It was not the intention of Englishmen that India remains intact (Akhand Bharat). But, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel united more than 562 princely states with India," he said, after paying tributes to the 'Iron Man of India' on his birth anniversary here.
Hailing the leadership of the country's first Home Minister, he said the credit for making Hyderabad an integral part of India goes to Patel.
Singh administered a pledge in Telugu on the occasion and inaugurated the 'Run for Unity' from Patel's statue in front of the Legislative Assembly Building here.
He symbolically took part in the run.
BJP national Vice President and MP Bandaru Dattatreya, Floor leader of BJP in Telangana Legislative Assembly K Lakshman, state BJP President G Kishan Reddy and other leaders attended the event.
