Manmohan Singh & Narendra Modi share stage in Ahmedabad

, Oct 29: Prime Minister

shared the dais with

Chief Minister and Gujarat Chief Minister

on Tuesday at the inauguration of a national museum dedicated to late Congress leader and former deputy prime minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

Gujarat Governor Kamla Beniwal Union minister Praful Patel, veteran Congress leader in Gujarat Shankarsinh Vaghela and other dignitaries were present in the occasion. Other Union ministers were also present.

6.40 pm

"I was fortunate to work with Pundit Nehru," Pm Singh quoted Sardar Patel as saying.

6.38 pm

"Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Patel were very close. Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Patel had high regards for each other."

6.35 pm

"I am proud that Sardar Patel belonged to the Congress. We must abide by his principles."

6.31 pm

"Sardar Patel was a truly secular man."

"Sardar Patel played a great role in unifying India. He was known for his administrative capability and hence was called an Iron Man."

Had Sardar Patel been the first PM, we would have seen a different history: Modi

"We are here to honour a proud son of India and Gujarat. He was among India's biggest leaders"

At 6.31 pm, Manmohan Singh begins to speak

6.21 pm

"Had Sardar been our first PM, the country would have seen a different history."

"It was during Patel's time that urban planning had started for the first time."

"Sardar Patel worked for women's reservation way back in 1919." (Union minister Dinsha Patel later rectified Modi, saying the year was 1926 and not 1919)

6.19 pm

"Violence neither helps the society nor helps the nation nor does it give anything to future."

6.19 pm

"From here I tell those who took these arms, the misguided youth that your path will not succeed. Bomb & gun will not do good for nation."

6.18 pm

"Be it Maoism, Terrorism these are challenges to our unit."

6.17 pm

"For the unity of this nation the work Sardar Patel did is a big inspiration."

6.15 pm

"We have felt encouraged by your initiative to recognise our good work."

6.13 pm

Modi thanks Singh, saying the Centre has done a commendable job in acknowledging the good work by the Gujarat government.

Narendra Modi begins to speak at 6.13 pm

OneIndia News