Continuous efforts being made to 'appropriate' Patel's legacy: Congress

Congress pays tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his birth anniversary, highlighting his legacy and contributions to India.

The Congress on Thursday (October 31, 2024) paid its tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his birth anniversary and alleged continuous efforts are being made to "appropriate" his legacy by those whose "ideological gurus" opposed the Quit India Movement and criticised the Constitution.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said, "Respectful tributes to the Iron Man of India, the first Deputy Prime Minister of the country, former Congress President and our idol, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel ji, who made an independent India a complete country, on his birth anniversary." "Sardar Patel's personality and thoughts will always inspire the coming generations to serve the nation," he said on X.

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and former Congress president Rahul Gandhi remembered Mr. Patel as the leader who tied the country together in a thread of unity and integrity.

"His footprints that united India and established love and brotherhood in the country always guide us," Mr. Gandhi said in a post in Hindi on X.

Congress' media and publicity department head Pawan Khera took a jibe at the RSS while paying his tributes.

"Sardar Patel kept the Sanghis under control, so today all the Sanghis are also forced to bow before this lifelong Congressman. A few years ago, these same Sanghis used to print and distribute books against Sardar Saheb," Khera said on X.

Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh hailed him as a pivotal figure in the freedom movement and shaping the creation of post-1947 India.