Attempts in the past to run down Patel's contribution: PM

New Delhi: In a veiled attack on the Congress ahead of Gujarat polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said some parties and governments in the past have tried to run down and erase the contributions of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in unifying the country immediately after Independence.

Flagging off a run to commemorate the 142nd birth anniversary of Patel, Modi said due to the statesmanship and political acumen of the country's first home minister, India is united today despite the colonial rulers' wish that it be disintegrated into smaller states after Independence.

"There have been attempts to run down Patel, to ensure that the contribution of Patel is forgotten. But Sardar is Sardar, whether any government or any party recognises his contribution or not but the nation and the youth will not forget him," he said without naming any government or party.

"The youth of India respects him and his contribution towards the building of our nation," he noted.

Modi's comment bears significance as it came ahead of the assembly elections in Gujarat, the state Patel belonged.

Paying rich tribute to Patel, the prime minister said he had not only saved the country from the difficulties being faced immediately after Independence but succeeded in uniting the whole nation.

"The British government wished that India disintegrated into smaller states. But Patel used all means (Sam, dam, dand, bhed, rajneeti, kutneeti) and succeeded in uniting all princely states into a single nation within a small span of time," he said.

Modi said generation after generation of Indians would continue to remember Patel, particularly the youth, who will carry forward his legacy.

The 'Run for Unity', which began at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, saw the participation of a large number of people, including sports personalities like Sardar Singh, Deepa Karmakar, Suresh Raina and Karnam Malleswari.

The 1.5 km run here came to an end near the India Gate C-Hexagon-Shah Jahan Road radial.

Earlier, President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, the Prime Minister, and Home Minister Rajnath Singh paid floral tributes to Patel on Parliament street where his statues are installed.