Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Birth Anniversary: Every year on 31st October we celebrate National Unity Day. Today marks the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India’s greatest leader and man of iron. Sardar Patel did what perhaps no one else could, united 562 states and united India. If there was no Patel, the map of India we see today would not have looked like this. This year National Unity Day is more special as we are celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Patel. However, today we are going to tell you a true, less heard story of Sardar Patel’s life, in which Sardar Patel lost his chance to become the first Prime Minister of the country. How did Sardar Patel miss the opportunity to become the country’s first Prime Minister? Let’s find out on what aspect this decision changed.
How did Sardar Patel miss the opportunity to become the country’s first Prime Minister?
At that time the Congress party was the largest political force in the country. It was certain that the person who was the Congress president would become the first Prime Minister of independent India. At that time the president of the Congress was Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, a post he held for many years. But now new elections are to be held in the party. Maulana Azad also wanted to be the president again. He also admitted this in his autobiography India Wins Freedom. But at the same time, Mahatma Gandhi said to give another chance now. This statement made by Gandhi created a stir in the Congress.
Although Gandhiji personally favored another person, the entire Congress party favored Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. According to the Congress Constitution, the President is elected by the State Congress Committees. When the process of nominations began, 12 of the 15 state committees proposed Sardar Patel’s name. After that three committees did not propose anyone’s name, but not a single committee proposed Nehru’s name.
Why did the whole game change?
Last date for nominations is April 29, 1946. On the same day there was a new twist. JB who was closest to Mahatma Gandhi. Kripalani and some other leaders tried to bring Nehru’s name forward. Although this was against Congress norms and no state Congress committee nominated Nehru, efforts increased after discussions with Gandhiji. When it became clear that Nehru would not be second in line, meaning he would become Prime Minister or nothing, Gandhiji asked Sardar Patel to withdraw his nomination. Patel did this without any objection, declaring that the country is important to me, not the post.
On what issue did this decision turn?
Gandhiji took this decision after thinking a lot. He believed that if Nehru was not made the Prime Minister, they would choose a different path, which would cost the Congress and the country. Gandhi also said that Jawahar Lal will not be second in rank, but Vallabhbhai will continue to serve the country. In this way Nehru became the President of Congress. When the British were invited to form a provisional government, Nehru became the country’s first Prime Minister. Many historians also believe that Sardar Patel would have become the first Prime Minister of India if not for Gandhiji’s intervention, but even if he did not get the Prime Ministership, Sardar Patel’s role in building independent India was no less than Nehru’s.
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