Hyderabad: Union Minister G Kishan Reddy said after India gained independence, the first ‘vote theft’ took place against Vallabhbhai Patel and in favor of Jawaharlal Nehru. Speaking to media after paying floral tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his birth anniversary along with state party president N Ramchander Rao. Reddy on Saturday, the union minister criticized that the Nehru family of that era crushed internal democracy and committed the first ‘vote theft’ by placing Jawaharlal Nehru who had practically no public support on the prime ministerial throne. Had Patel become the first PM, the nation’s landscape and outlook would have completely changed and many complex problems faced by the country would have found permanent solutions, Kishan Reddy said.The union minister lashed out stating that Jawaharlal Nehru’s backroom deals and selfish political policies created severe confusion in the integration process of the princely states. Despite this, Sardar Patel, as the home minister of that time, took independent and courageous decisions to successfully integrate over 550 princely states into India, forging a unified nation. He strongly condemned that when the Nizam’s private militia, the Razakars, went on a 13-month rampage across villages in the Hyderabad princely state committing massacres, atrocities against women, and widespread looting the then PM Nehru did not even bother to respond. However, ignoring Nehru’s words and witnessing the cries of the people of Telangana, Sardar Patel deployed the military through ‘Operation Polo’, subdued the autocratic Nizam, and hoisted the tricolor flag here. He said as long as the sun and moon exist, the people of Telangana will hold Sardar Patel’s sacrifice and initiative close to their hearts, and that every household in Telangana should have a portrait of Patel. Raising the issue of Jammu and Kashmir, union minister alleged that Nehru obstructed Sardar Patel’s intervention in the Jammu and Kashmir issue and due to his selfish politics and pro-Pakistan stance, turned that region into a burning fire for nearly 75 years. He expressed anguish that Nehru’s historical blunders triggered cross-border terrorism and wars, resulting in the loss of about 46,000 innocent civilians and soldiers.He asserted that Nehru’s policies were responsible for Pakistan-sponsored counterfeit currency, illegal arms trafficking, and bloodshed. However, he praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his firm resolve in abrogating Article 370, fully implementing Dr. Baba Saheb Ambedkar’s Constitution in Kashmir, and fulfilling Sardar Patel’s dreams. He called upon the nation’s farming community and youth to remember the history of Patel who earned the title ‘Sardar’ by fighting for farmers during the Bardoli Satyagraha. He urged today’s youth to understand the vote-bank politics, appeasement policies, corruption, and dynastic rule characteristic of Congress governance, and to take Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s patriotism and spirit of national integration as their ideal.On the occasion of the birth anniversary (Rashtriya Ekta Diwas) of India’s Iron Man and the architect of a unified India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, floral tributes were paid grandly today at the BJP State Office here. BJP Telangana State President N Ramchander Rao and Union Minister for Coal and Mines G Kishan Reddy participated as chief guests, garlanding Sardar Patel’s portrait and paying their respects. Ever since Prime Minister Narendra Modi assumed office, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s birth anniversary is being grandly celebrated across the country under the name ‘National Unity Day’ (Rashtriya Ekta Diwas) with the participation of central and state governments, and through the BJP in every village.The event was attended by Chevella MP Konda Vishweshwar Reddy, state general secretary N. Gautham Rao, BJP state vice president Kasam Venkateshwarlu, BJP Telangana state spokesperson NV Subash and others were present.
