Defence Minister Rajnath Singh flagged off ‘Run For Unity’, on the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, in Lucknow. He also highlighted the Former Prime Minister’s role in bringing princely states together after 1947.
“When India became independent, it was divided into 562 princely states. The British deliberately gave the princely states a chance to decide whether to merge or remain separate. In such a situation, it is difficult to imagine today what difficult situation and challenge Sardar Patel would have faced as the Home Minister of the country. It was the result of Sardar Patel’s foresight and his diplomatic and strategic ability that the unity and integrity of India could be ensured”, Singh was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
Singh also asserted that the BJP is making constant efforts to give recognition to Vallabbhai Patel.
“We are making efforts to give Sardar Patel the respect he always deserved. For the first time in 2013, as National President of BJP, I flagged off the first ‘Run for Unity’ in Delhi”, Singh remarked.
