Anand Sharma rejects Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi's invite

Union minister of commerce and industry Anand Sharma on Tuesday declined Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi’s invitation for an event on Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, castigating him for trying to usurp the Congress party’s legacy. “I have carefully reflected on the significance of this initiative and your kind invitation...  It is rather odd that you have attempted to brazenly usurp the rich legacy of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, whose approach and beliefs mitigate against all that is personified by the RSS whose nominee you are,” he said in a letter to Modi.

He lambasted Modi for misrepresenting facts. “I hope you will take a moment to reflect the truth of Indian history and not question the wisdom of our youth. Perhaps, the nation could not have expected anything different from you, as over the years you have developed an expertise in misrepresenting the facts and distorting history,” reads the letter. It also criticised the RSS for breaking the promise it made to Sardar.  “I would urge you to reflect and together with RSS leadership observe his anniversary as a solemn day of penance for dishonouring the promise made to Sardar,” Sharma says in the letter.