Ahmedabad, 27 October 2013

Just before three days of inauguration of revamped version of Sardar Patel Memorial in Ahmedabad, Union minister Dinsha Patel who is the chairperson of the trust wanted to avoid any critical or harsh political comment. But then how media person could allow him to finish the press conference on smooth note? The questions were asked to Dinsha about Narendra Modi government’s donation to Sardar Patel Memorial, and Narendra Modi’s Statue of Unity project which is about construction of the tallest statue of the world featuring Sardar Patel. Dinsha after all is a politician and someone, part of the Gujarat Congress. He didn’t skip an opportunity to criticize Narendra Modi in guarded words.

On Gujarat government’s donations to Sardar Memorial fund, Dinsha Patel said, “Keshubhai Patel had approved Rs. 1.50 crore for Sardar Smark when he was Chief Minister. Only Rs. 60 lakh sum was actually received by smarak trust. The government had put condition that the money would stay as it is in corpus fund, and the trust will only use its interest. During Narendra Modi’s time we have time and again asked for rest of the amount, but so far it is not paid.”

When asked to react to Narendra Modi’s Statue of Unity project which is about construction of world’s tallest statue featuring Sardar Patel, Dinsha said, “I have received bhoomi pujan event invitation, and Sharad Pawar, Jairam Ramesh and other union ministers too have received it. I am aware about the statue of unity project through newspaper reports and invitation card details. Mr. Modi is going to collect iron for this statue, but sculptors whom I know say that statues are never made from iron, they are made from copper which contributes 2/3rd part while other substances are kalai, jasat, nikal – mixture of them.”

He furher said,”even then if iron is needed, Modi should contact Tata Steel, why to collect iron from villages?”

Dinsha during the media interaction wished that inauguration event of 29th which is to be attended by Prime Minister and Gujarat Chief Minister both would conclude smoothly, but after passing such remarks, does he believe that Modi will not give reply, if not on mic then in one-to-one communication? In that case Dinsha and Gujarat Congress are prepared in advance.Most of the 6000 persons invited to the function are from Congress cadre.