Patel eclipsing Indira Gandhi? PM Modi skips Indira's death anniversary, Congress fumes

It is sheer co-incidence that both big leaders- Sardar Patel and Indira Gandhi have their anniversary on the same date. Patel has his birth anniversary on October 31 while Gandhi's death anniversary is observed on the same date. Apart from being the leaders of the same party, both are famously called iron man and Iron lady respectively. But the similarities end here only. And when we will scrutinize the differences between two cult leaders, the list will be surely be a long one. They were poles apart in their nature and the working style.

BJP, congress spar over Indira Gandhi

Coming to present issue where both BJP and Congress are sparring over that why Prime Minister Narendra Modi skipped the Indira's death anniversary event. Congress termed as "disgusting" and "petty-minded" the way the Narendra Modi Government marked the death anniversary of Indira Gandhi while the ruling BJP wondered if that party prefers to see history through the "perspective" of Nehru-Gandhi family. "It is petty-minded, it is partisan and disrespectful to those who gave their lives to their country, particularly Indira Gandhi who gave hers for the unity of this country," Deputy Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Anand Sharma said. He further added that it showed Modi and BJP for what they are.

Sharma said it was "ironical" that Modi was flagging off 'Run for Unity' and not even mentioning "the supreme sacrifice of one of the greatest leaders of our times". Taking a jibe at BJP, he said Patel was a Congressman who as the then deputy prime minister and home minister had banned RSS, the ideological mentor of the ruling party.

Earlier, giving miss to the event commemorating the death anniversary of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, Modi Government celebrated Sardar Patel's birth anniversary as National Unity Day with Modi flagging off the 'Run for Unity' campaign here this morning. Unlike the previous Congress-led UPA Government which used to commemorate Gandhi's death anniversary with wide media publicity and events, the new government has instead chosen to celebrate Patel's birth anniversary.

Refuting the allegations of Congress leaders, Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu said there was no question of belittling the importance of any leader while stressing that Patel should be a role model for all. "There is no question of belittling the importance of any leader...Every leader has their place in history. There is no question of denying that. But Sardar Patel is one of the top most leaders who was a freedom fighter, unifier of India...who should be role model for all," he said. BJP spokesperson Nalin Kohli said Modi had remembered Gandhi and sent out a tweet about Gandhi's death anniversary and accused Congress of doing politics over the issue. "Congress is trying consistently to politicise such issues and is in fact raising questions about itself. Are they against unity and they prefer to see everything in history through the perspective of Nehru-Gandhi family," he said.

Why Modi should have attended the event

I personally believe that Prime Minister Modi who might have scored 90 per cent by giving the due importance to Sardar Patel could easily changed that to 100 per cent if he had given bit more importance to Indira's death anniversary. After all she was a Prime Minister and the post must be respected. Modi is Prime Minister of the country which is above the party politics things.

It is well known fact that Congress party has been obsessed by Nehru-Gandhi philosophy and never gave importance to others, but that is nature of dynasty party. BJP must not follow them. Recently, BJP and specially Modi-led party has earned applaud for every second act. Modi is known for his magnanimous nature and in past he had given respect to all big Congress leaders like Nehru and Indira in his own way. But this time he fell short on the front.

(With inputs from PTI)