The political row over Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's legacy deepened on Saturday as the Congress hit back at Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Congress leader Salman Khurshid accused Shah of damaging Patel's image, saying the intent behind such remarks was beyond understanding.
Khurshid said Patel's contribution to the country's history is extremely important, and remarks of this kind about his name affect Patel's image and hurt the respect people hold for him. The exchange began after Shah, while extending National Unity Day greetings, said the Congress had not given Patel the honour his work deserved for many years and had always tried to make people forget him, adding that the sun's light cannot be covered.
Khurshid's counter-attack
Khurshid said the purpose of such statements was hard to understand. He argued that dragging Patel's name into political sparring only harms the standing of a leader whose role in unifying the country is beyond dispute. The Congress leader's response turned a tribute occasion into a fresh round of the old debate over who owns Patel's legacy.
Tribute to Indira Gandhi on her anniversary
On the same day, Khurshid also paid tribute to former prime minister Indira Gandhi on her death anniversary. He praised her leadership and her contribution to the country, saying she set many standards and examples not only for the country but also for the prime ministers who came after her. In today's times, he said, it would be extremely difficult for any leader to go beyond her achievements.
Khurshid added that very few prime ministers in world history have played such an important role in laying the foundation of a new nation. Her leadership and contribution were historic, he said, and many decisions taken during her tenure affected the country's politics and development for a long time afterwards.
