Letters: Retrospective wisdom

This refers to "Picturing Nehru" (Chinese Whispers, January 14). Narendra Modi has more than once displayed a lack of knowledge of the history of the country of which he aspires to be the prime minister. By saying that "it was the wish of every Indian's heart that Vallabhbhai Patel, rather than Nehru had become prime minister in 1947", he shows that he is not aware of the extent of Jawaharlal Nehru's popularity with the masses when he ascended the prime minister's chair in 1947. The desire around 1947 that Patel be the prime minister was expressed not by "every Indian" but by some 14 out of 16 Provincial Congress committees; and the desire of people prevailed over that of the party in choosing Nehru. The fact is that Patel, an organisation man, was not well known then in many parts of India.

Patel emerged as a giant, unequalled in stature by any living leader except a few, in the last years of his life, after he managed to integrate 562 semi-independent princely kingdoms into the Indian nation. To say he should have been made prime minister on the ground of this mighty achievement is to mix facts and events, or what some call retrospective wisdom. Whenever the suggestion that he replace Nehru was made, the arch patriot and realist in Patel would retort, "I am a dying man, do you suggest that the country should be without a leader?"

R C Mody New Delhi

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