Chandigarh, October 31 — Haryana’s Energy, Transport, and Labour Minister, Sh. Anil Vij, said that Iron Man Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was a man of great sacrifice, whose philosophy was to place the nation first, the party second and himself last. It was this ideology that led Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel to give up the opportunity to become India’s first Prime Minister with a smile.
He explained that in 1946, elections were held for the Congress Working Committee, and it was decided that whoever was elected president would become the country’s first Prime Minister. At that time, there were 15 Provincial Congress Committees that took part in the election. Of these, 12 voted in favor of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, and 3 for others. Jawaharlal Nehru did not receive a single vote. However, Mahatma Gandhi expressed his wish that Nehru should be made Prime Minister and asked Patel to withdraw his claim. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, respecting Gandhi’s request, smiled and gave up the post.
Speaking as the chief guest at the district-level “Run for Unity” program organized at War Heroes Memorial Stadium, Ambala Cantonment, on Patel’s 150th birth anniversary, Sh. Vij paid floral tribute to the Iron Man’s portrait and saluted him. On this occasion, the minister was also honored with a memento.
He said that “We have all gathered here today to participate in the Unity March on the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, known as the Iron Man of India. The united India we see today exists because of him. After independence, India was divided into about 562 princely states. In the first government, Sardar Patel was made Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister, and he successfully integrated all these states into India without the use of force. Only Jammu and Kashmir faced complications, which Nehru handled, and we all know what challenges followed after that.”
“Had Sardar Patel been the first Prime Minister instead of Nehru, the country would have been in a much better position today,” – Vij
Energy Minister Anil Vij said that “Analysts say that if Sardar Patel had become the first Prime Minister instead of Nehru, India’s condition today would have been very different and the country would have achieved much greater heights. But Patel was loyal to the party and accepted its decision. The concept of All India Services like IAS and IPS also came from Patel’s vision to ensure efficient governance. He was not only a great administrator but also a true patriot. His economic policies were aimed at strengthening the nation. Despite his immense contributions, the Congress did not give him due respect — he was awarded the Bharat Ratna only after 41 years, while many Prime Ministers had already awarded it to themselves.”
“Prime Minister Modi built a statue of Sardar Patel taller than the Statue of Liberty because we know how to honor our heroes,” -Vij
Anil Vij said that “In Delhi, there are grand memorials for many leaders, but not even an inch of land was allotted for Sardar Patel’s memorial. It was the BJP government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi who built in Kevadia, Gujarat, a statue of Sardar Patel taller than America’s Statue of Liberty — because our party knows how to show respect. Earlier, the Prime Ministers’ Museum in Delhi showcased only one leader’s legacy, but after our government came, all Prime Ministers were given equal representation. For us, the nation matters most, and we have given due respect to all. Patel’s Delhi residence was neglected for decades, but our government preserved it as a memorial so that people could visit and pay tribute to him. Sardar Patel’s contribution to the nation is immense.”
“Prime Minister Modi will make India a developed nation by 2047, and governments are working towards that goal,” – Vij
He said that “Prime Minister Modi, following the path shown by Sardar Patel, is strengthening the nation today. Patel believed that unity gives strength and that strength makes a nation powerful. Based on this principle, Modi is determined to make India a developed nation by 2047. He has earned global respect for India — even the U.S. President has called him a great leader. Modi abrogated Article 370, ended triple talaq, and built the long-awaited Ram Temple — thus, when he says India will be developed by 2047, the nation believes him. NDA governments are working towards this goal, and Haryana’s Chief Minister Nayab Saini too is working tirelessly to fulfill this dream by improving the state’s infrastructure and basic amenities,” said Vij.
Energy Minister flags off the march and joins it carrying the tricolor. Thousands of schoolchildren, BJP workers, and citizens participated in the “Run for Unity” march. Minister Vij flagged off the event and personally joined the march carrying the national flag. Before this, he administered the pledge of national unity to the attendees. During the program, Head Constable Gurdev Singh sang a patriotic song “Mere Desh Premiyon – Aapas Mein Prem Karo”, which Minister Vij highly appreciated and patted the soldier’s back in praise.
Among those present were Deputy Commissioner Ajay Singh Tomar, Superintendent of Police Ajit Singh Shekhawat, SDM Ambala Cantonment Vinesh Kumar, Municipal Council Chairperson Swarnjeet Kaur, Vice-Chairman Lalta Prasad, Sports Officer Ram Swaroop, RTA Sushil Kumar, GM Roadways Ashwani Dogra, DSP Ramesh Kumar, BJP leaders Ravi Buddhiraja, Harsh Bindra, Vikas Bahgal, Bijendra Chauhan, Rajeev Dimpal, Kiran Pal Chauhan, Vipin Khanna, Sanjeev Soni, Madan Lal Sharma, B.S. Bindra, Balvinder Singh Shahpur, Balit Nagpal, Pravesh Sharma, Iqbal Dhanda, Shyam Sunder Arora, Aarti Sehgal, Narendra Rana, Prem Rana, Dr. Naveen Gulati, Arun Kant Sharma, Dr. Pooja, and several other distinguished guests.
