Uttarakhand CM Rawat pays tributes to Sardar Patel on 143rd birth anniversary

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat Wednesday paid floral tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his birth anniversary and recalled his contribution to the country's unification post-independence.

He said the 'Statue of Unity' unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Gujarat's Narmada district Wednesday was the most fitting tribute to the country's first home minister.

"The Statue of Unity, the world's tallest statue at 182 metres, which has been unveiled by the Prime Minister, is in keeping with Patel's tall political stature, " Rawat said.

"After the Independence of India, without even a drop of blood being shed and without any gunshots being fired, Patel ensured that 550 princely states became part of the country," he said.

Rawat also participated in the 'Run for Unity' along with senior party leaders on the occasion, including Pradesh BJP president Ajay Bhatt, party state in-charge Shyam Jaju and former chief minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank.

(With inputs from agencies.)