The other pressing concern was the growing feud between his two trusted lieutenants who held the top two positions in the nascent government—Prime Minister Nehru and Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. In the wake of growing differences between the two men, Patel had volunteered to relieve himself from the duties of government rather than play second fiddle to a man he did not agree with on several issues of national concern.
