Congress on Monday paid tribute to India’s first interior minister, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, on his birthday, with former party leader Rahul Gandhi saying the most fitting tribute for him was to let the flame of unity he lit shine brighter than ever.

Patel is considered the chief architect of the integration of the former princely states with the Union of India.

“Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s iron will united India. The most fitting tribute to him would be to let the flame of unity he kindled shine brighter than ever,” Gandhi said in a tweet.

Congress said via his official Twitter handle: “We pay our sincere homage to the Iron Man of India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, on his birthday. It was for his iron will that the nation was woven into a union.”

“As a great son of Bharat Mata, he continues to inspire us to fight the forces of hatred and division,” the party said.

Senior Congressional Chairman Jairam Ramesh welcomed Patel on his 147th birthday.

“In October 2011 I had the privilege of delivering the Sardar Patel Memorial Talk where I showcased a side of him that is not well known – his wit and humor,” Ramesh tweeted.

“No matter what the Distorians sell, Patel and Nehru were a unique jugalbandhi that shaped modern India for almost 30 years,” he said, sharing a photo of Nehru and Patel together.

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