Telangana state formed only due to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel: BJP

Hyderabad: Taking exception to the TS government ignoring Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s birth anniversary, the state unit of the BJP demanded the government to include lessons on Patel, the Iron man of India, in the curriculum. Union minister Bandaru Dattatreya said that thanks to Patel, 500 princely states, including Hyderabad State, were merged into Indian Union. “But for his timely action and commitment, the Nizam would not have surrendered and Telangana state would not have been formed. The credit for formation of TS is due to Sardar Patel,” he claimed. Mr Dattatreya, BJP TS president K. Laxman and other party leaders paid rich tributes to Patel on his birth anniversary which was observed as Rashtriya Ekta Divas.

BJP national general secretary P. Muralidhar Rao heaped praises on Patel, saying that he ensured unity of the country. Dr Laxman flayed the TS government for ignoring Sardar Patel’s jayanti. “Though the nation celebrated Ekta Divas and Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to all to celebrate the day, why did TRS government ignore it? The Chief Minister and ministers should explain why they stayed away from the celebrations,” he said.

Dr Laxman said Telangana region achieved freedom on September 17, 1948 solely due to Patel. “There wouldn’t have been Telangana state, no TRS government, KCR would not have become CM. Though Telangana people celebrated September 17, the TRS government ignored it. Why?” he questioned. The state BJP chief alleged that the TRS government succumbed to pressure from the MIM and was indulging in “vote bank politics”. Earlier, the BJP leaders paid floral tributes to Patel’s statue near the Assembly.