New Delhi, Nov 1 (IANS): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Monday lambasted the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government for "belittling" the contribution of India's first home minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel by issuing "only one advertisement" to mark his birth anniversary while releasing "dozens of advertisements" in tribute to former prime minister Indira Gandhi on her martyrdom day.

"It is a matter of great regret that UPA government thought it fit to issue only one formal advertisement to pay respect to Shri Sardar Patel while it issued dozens of advertisements in honour of Indira Gandhi. These efforts at evaluating Patelji in lesser light are unacceptable," BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said.

He said "BJP bows its head in reverence to Patel and remembers the historical work done by him".

Patel was born on Oct 31, 1875 and Monday was his 136th birth anniversary.

Several union ministries and Congress party had issued prominent advertisements in newspapers Monday to pay respects to Indira Gandhi on her martyrdom day.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal said that ministries had issued advertisements on their own and no directions had been issued.

Congress leaders, however, claimed that BJP leaders were not present at the function held in Parliament to pay respects to Patel. The charge was refuted by the BJP.