Parliamentary Affairs Ministers Venkaiah Naidu has said that Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel rendered yeomen contribution to the freedom struggle of the Country and for its unification after Independence, but justice was not done to Sardar Patel during his life time and even later. Naidu was speaking after inaugurating a large size bronze statue of Sardar Patel at Nellore in Andhra Pradesh this morning.

Giving an account of SardarPatel's eminence and his contributions, Naidu said, being an ardent follower of Mahatma Gandhi, despite huge following and support in the Congress Party, Sardar Patel agreed to work under the leadership of Pandit Jawaharalal Nehru, as per the wishes of Gandhiji and this was a great sacrifice in the national interest. Naidu said, Patel who was an eminent barrister gave up his practice to join freedom struggle and became Sardar after leading the peasant movement at Bardoli.

'With the interests of the nation uppermost in his mind, Sardar Patel who emerged as an eminent leader in his own right, worked with Pandit Nehru for over 30 years, under the leadership of Gandhi ji. His contribution as the Home Minister to the unification of the country and putting in place well organized civil services were evidence of his great vision and capacity to act decisively in testing times. However, Sardar Patel was denied justice during his life time and even after his death. Sardar Patel was honoured with Bharat Ratna, 41 years after his death, while it could have been much earlier.' Said Venkaiah Naidu.

Naidu observed that several great leaders made significant contributions to the freedom struggle and after, and all of them should be regarded equally and their legacies should be promoted without any discrimination.

Minister of Municipal Administration Narayana and Minister of Health and Medical Education Srinivas of the Andhra Pradesh Government also attended the unveiling programme. Mayor of Nellore Shri Abdul Aziz presided over the function.