Modi and PM share stage, fight over Sardar Patel

Gujarat Chief Minister and BJP PM elect Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh shared stage on Tuesday at the inauguration of the rennovated Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Museum in Ahmedabad. This was the first time both Modi and PM shared the stage for a public event. Both leaders praised Sardar Patel’s contribution to the nation. 

 

The political tussle or the fight over Sardar Patel’s  legacy played out at the event with Modi taking a dig at the congress and the Nehru Gandhi family saying that Sardar Patel should have been Prime Minister. Manmohan Singh hit back at  Modi stating that Sardar Patel was secular and he and Nehru shared mutual respect for each other. Mr. Singh also stated that he was proud of being a member of the very same party that Sardar Patel worked and strived for all through his life. 

 

Meanwhile Congress leaders accused Narendra Modi of being unaware of the political legacy of the leader. Union minister for Information and Broadcasting Manish Tewari said "Those who try and appropriate the legacy of Patel, probably haven't read him correctly." BJP’s Balbir Punj on the otherhand stated "These leaders are not the monopoly of Congress at all, particularly the Congress people have nothing to do with the Congress that was lead by the real Gandhi that is Mahatma Gandhi." 

 

Minister for Commerce went a step ahead and declined an invitation from Modi to attend the unveiling of the statue of Sardar Patel. Anand accused Modi of politics over Patel. In a strong two-page letter to Modi, Anand Sharma accused Modi of using Sardar Patel's legacy for political gains.