BJP leaders skip event to mark Sardar Patel's birth anniversary

Leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday failed to show up at the Central Hall in Parliament to pay tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on the occasion of the birth anniversary of India's first home minister.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Speaker Meira Kumar and innumerable Union ministers were present at the function.

Congress Parliamentarians, who were present to attend the function at Central Hall, have lost no time in making this into an issue, pointing out that the BJP has "ignored" the original 'iron man' of India.

A senior BJP leader admitted that the absence of the party's Members of Parliament at the function was a lapse on their part, but added that the saffron party will pay tribute at Sardar Patel's portrait in the Central Hall at 12.30 pm.

A notice from Lok Sabha was issued on October 21 to all members and it stated, "On the occasion of the Birth Anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, a function will be held on Monday, the 31 October, 2011 at 10.30 am in the Central Hall, Parliament House, New Delhi where the portrait of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel is put up.  Dignitaries, Members of Parliament and invitees will pay floral tributes on the occasion. Members are cordially invited".

The birth anniversaries of several eminent leaders are marked throughout the year in the Central Hall of Parliament.