Congress left red-faced as party journal criticises Nehru, praises Patel
Mumbai: As the Congress celebrates its 131st Foundation Day on Monday, an article published by the party's Mumbai unit has caused a stir as it blames Jawaharlal Nehru for the state of affairs in Kashmir, China and Tibet. The article states that Nehru should have listened to freedom fighter and former home minister, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's views on international affairs.
The article, which does not bear the name of the writer, has been published in this month's issue of 'Congress Darshan' Hindi edition as a tribute piece to mark Patel's death anniversary on December 15.
"Despite Patel getting the post of deputy prime minister and home minister, the relations between the two leaders remained strained, and both had threatened to resign time and again," the article says. "If Nehru had embraced Patel's foresight, many problems in international affairs would not have arisen," it adds.
Read: Sanjay Nirupam apologises for criticism of Nehru, Sonia in 'Congress Darshan'
Mumbai Congress leaders slam Sanjay Nirupam over party mouthpiece gaffe
The article cites a letter that Patel reportedly wrote in 1950 to caution Nehru against China's policy towards Tibet and where "Patel described China as unfaithful, and a future enemy of India."
"Had Patel been heard (by Nehru) then, the problems of Kashmir, China, Tibet and Nepal wouldn't have existed now. Patel opposed Nehru's move of taking the Kashmir issue to the UNO," stated the article, adding, "Nehru did not agree with Patel's views on Nepal."
Mumbai Regional Congress Committee chief and editor of the journal Sanjay Nirupam said he is not involved in the day-to-day functioning of the magazine and was unaware of the article.
"I do not agree with the article. It seems to have been sourced, but I don't know who the writer is," Nirupam, who in his earlier stint with Shiv Sena edited Hindi newspaper 'Dopahar Ka Saamana', said, adding that corrective measures would be taken.
Meanwhile, BJP leader and Union Minister Jitender Singh said such remarks about Nehru's policy have been made earlier also and not just by BJP.
"Many of Nehru's close friends have written books mentioning that the course of events in Jammu and Kashmir would have been different had it been left to the then home minister (Patel)," he said.
