Lucknow: The BJP on Monday attacked the Congress, accusing it of downplaying the historic contributions of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel to serve its political interests.BJP MP and state chief of OBC Morcha Prakash Pal said that the Congress deliberately denied Patel an opportunity to become the country’s first Prime Minister even though he laid the robust foundation for a united India by integrating hundreds of princely states. The BJP’s attack on the Congress came even as the party gears up to celebrate the birth anniversary of Patel across all 98 organisational districts of the state on Oct 31. The decision to this effect was taken during a meeting of state-level office-bearers held at the BJP headquarters.“In contrast, Prime Minister Narendra Modi ensured global recognition for the ‘Iron Man’—both for his personality and his achievements—by commissioning the world’s tallest statue in his honor,” Pal said, asserting that Patel’s stature is defined by his monumental contributions to nation-building.He further noted that although the Congress attempted to diminish the political standing of a figure as towering as Sardar Patel, PM Modi took the historic step of establishing the ‘Statue of Unity’—the world’s tallest statue—in Gujarat, thereby securing for him a position of global prominence.This statue, he said, was not merely a structure of bronze and iron. “It stood as a symbol of the BJP’s commitment to honoring national icons and upholding national pride, in stark contrast to the neglect shown by the Congress,” Pal said.He alleged that the Congress even created obstacles in the political journey of Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar, the architect of the Constitution. He remarked that while Congress leaders today speak of protecting democracy and the Constitution, they ought to engage in some introspection regarding their own political history.
