Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on Saturday, 31 October 2026 used Jaipur's 'Run for Unity' event — marking the 151st birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel — to mount a sharp attack on the Congress, alleging that successive Congress-led governments had systematically denied Patel the national recognition his historic contributions deserved. The event, attended by a large number of youth and medal-winning athletes, was flagged off jointly by Joshi and Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma at Amar Jawan Jyoti in Jaipur.

Political Volleys at a Unity Run

Joshi alleged that the Congress had attempted to erase Patel's legacy from public memory, while disproportionately naming government schemes and institutions after members of the Gandhi family. He specifically questioned the practice of naming schemes after late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, arguing that Patel's contribution to independent India had received no comparable institutional recognition.

The Minister also recalled Patel's specific role in the formation of Rajasthan, noting that he had been pivotal in creating 'Vrihad Rajasthan' (Greater Rajasthan) on 30 March 1949. 'Patel laid the foundation for an undivided India through his vision and leadership,' Joshi said.

He further stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government was carrying forward Patel's vision of 'Ek Bharat' toward the goal of 'Shreshtha Bharat', pointing to the Statue of Unity in Kevadia, Gujarat — described as the world's tallest statue — as a symbol of the nation's tribute to Patel.

Chief Minister Sharma's Address: Youth, Jobs, and Olympics

Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma described Sardar Patel as a timeless symbol of national unity and integrity. He called the 'Run for Unity' not merely a race but 'a pledge of patriotism, national unity and collective commitment', urging young people to actively contribute to nation-building.

Sharma highlighted platforms such as MY Bharat, alongside central schemes like Startup India and the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana, as initiatives transforming youth from job seekers into job creators. He also referenced the Khelo India and Fit India movements as tools to identify sporting talent from remote and rural areas.

On the employment front, Sharma stated that the Rajasthan government had conducted 410 examinations transparently, resulting in government appointments for 1.93 lakh young people. Recruitment for 1.18 lakh additional posts is currently underway, while the process to fill more than 70,000 further vacancies is set to commence shortly. Additionally, five lakh youth have secured private-sector employment, 3.70 lakh have received skill training, and under the Yuva Sambal Yojana, ₹1,643 crore has been distributed among four lakh beneficiaries.

Mission Olympic 2028 Launched

In a significant announcement, Chief Minister Sharma launched 'Mission Olympic 2028', aimed at providing world-class training facilities to Rajasthan's athletes ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games. As part of the initiative, a Centre for Excellence is being established at a cost of ₹20 crore. The state has also established 50 Khelo India centres across Rajasthan to promote sports and nurture emerging talent at the grassroots level.

What Happened on the Ground

The 'Run for Unity' was flagged off by Joshi and Sharma at Amar Jawan Jyoti, with widespread participation from youth and medal-winning athletes. Chief Minister Sharma administered an oath of national unity to participants, calling on them to uphold the values of unity, integrity and patriotism. The event blended civic ceremony with political messaging — a pattern that has become common in ruling-party commemorations of Patel's birth anniversary since the Statue of Unity was inaugurated in 2018.

With the 2028 Olympics target now formally on Rajasthan's agenda, how the state converts today's pledges into verifiable sporting outcomes will be the real measure of the event's legacy.