Page "Vallabhbhai Patel" Paragraph 20

In the 1946 election for the Congress presidency, Patel stepped down in favour of Nehru at the request of Gandhi.

The election's importance stemmed from the fact that the elected President would lead free India's first Government.

Gandhi asked all 16 states representatives and Congress to elect the right person and Sardar Patel's name was proposed by 13 states representatives out of 16, but Patel respected Gandhi's request to not be the first prime minister.

As a Home Minister, Patel merged all parts of India under federal control but Jammu and Kashmir was left out because of Nehru.

After that Patel started campaign for constituent assembly elections.