Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy: “The First ‘Vote Theft’ After Independence Was Committed in Favour of Nehru and Against Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel”
Hyderabad: The birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the Iron Man of India and architect of national integration, was celebrated with great enthusiasm at the BJP Telangana State Office in Hyderabad on the occasion of Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day).
BJP Telangana State President Sri N. Ramchander Rao and Union Minister for Coal and Mines Sri G. Kishan Reddy attended the programme as chief guests and paid floral tributes to the portrait of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
Chevella MP Sri Konda Vishweshwar Reddy, BJP State General Secretary Dr. N. Gautam Rao, State Vice-President and Karnataka Co-Incharge Dr. Kasam Venkateshwarlu, BJP Telangana Chief Official Spokesperson and Media In-charge Sri N.V. Subhash, State Spokesperson Sri Rahul Saridena, senior leader Sri Chintala Ramachandra Reddy, along with several other leaders and party workers, participated in the event.
Key Highlights of Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy’s Media Address
Addressing the media on the occasion, Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy said that after Prime Minister Narendra Modi assumed office, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s birth anniversary has been officially observed across the country as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day), with the participation of Central and State Governments and celebrations organised at the grassroots level. He recalled that when India attained independence, a majority of Congress members had supported Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel for the post of the country’s first Prime Minister. However, he alleged that the Nehru family undermined internal democracy and committed the first instance of “vote theft” by ensuring that Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru became Prime Minister despite lacking majority support within the party.
Kishan Reddy remarked that if Sardar Patel had become the first Prime Minister of India, the country’s political and geographical landscape could have been significantly different, and several major national challenges might have been resolved at an early stage.
Patel’s Role in the Integration of Hyderabad State
The Union Minister criticised Jawaharlal Nehru’s policies and alleged that his political decisions and behind-the-scenes arrangements created complications during the integration of princely states into the Indian Union.
Despite these challenges, Sardar Patel, as the country’s first Home Minister, took courageous and independent decisions and successfully integrated more than 550 princely states, laying the foundation for a united India.
Referring specifically to Hyderabad State, Kishan Reddy said that the Razakars, the private militia of the Nizam, had unleashed violence, atrocities, exploitation and attacks on villages for nearly 13 months.
He alleged that the then Prime Minister Nehru failed to respond adequately to the suffering of the people. However, Sardar Patel, ignoring Nehru’s objections, took decisive action through Operation Polo, deployed the Indian Army and brought the Nizam’s rule to an end, paving the way for the Indian Tricolour to be hoisted in Hyderabad State.
He said that the people of Telangana would remember Sardar Patel’s courage, sacrifice and decisive role for generations. He also expressed his desire that every Telangana household should have a portrait of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
Article 370 and the Kashmir Issue
Speaking about Jammu and Kashmir, Kishan Reddy alleged that Nehru had prevented Sardar Patel from playing a decisive role in the Kashmir issue and that the policies pursued by the former Prime Minister had contributed to decades of unrest in the region.
He stated that historical decisions taken during Nehru’s tenure had resulted in prolonged tensions, cross-border terrorism and wars, leading to the deaths of approximately 46,000 innocent civilians and security personnel.
The Union Minister further alleged that policies pursued during that period contributed to cross-border security challenges, including the circulation of counterfeit currency and illegal arms trafficking.
He praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership for the abrogation of Article 370, stating that it enabled the full implementation of the Constitution of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in Jammu and Kashmir and fulfilled Sardar Patel’s vision of national integration.
Call to Remember Patel’s Legacy
Kishan Reddy also highlighted Sardar Patel’s contribution to the Bardoli Satyagraha, where he stood firmly with farmers and earned the title of ‘Sardar’ through his leadership and commitment.
He urged farmers, young people and citizens to learn about Patel’s contribution to India’s freedom struggle and national integration.
He further called upon the younger generation to understand the political history of the country, including what he described as vote-bank politics, appeasement, corruption and dynastic politics during Congress rule.
Concluding his address, Kishan Reddy urged citizens to follow the ideals of patriotism, courage, national unity and integrity demonstrated by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
