India, Oct. 31 -- rime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday paid glowing tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his 150th birth anniversary, accusing the Congress leadership of betraying Patel's vision by preventing the complete integration of Jammu and Kashmir with India. Addressing the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrations near the Statue of Unity in Ekta Nagar, Modi said the Iron Man of India had sought to unite the entire nation under one flag and Constitution, but was stopped by then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.

"Sardar Patel wanted to unite the entire Kashmir, just as he did with other princely states. But Nehru ji stopped his wish from being fulfilled," Modi said. "Kashmir was divided, given a separate Constitution and a separate flag...