New Delhi, Oct 31 (IANS): Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar led the nation in paying floral tributes to India's first home minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his 134th birth anniversary Sunday.

The two leaders laid flower wreaths at Patel's portrait in the Central Hall of Parliament House. Others who paid tributes included several union ministers, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha members and former MPs.

The secretaries-general of the two houses, T.K. Viswanathan and V.K. Agnihotri, also paid tributes to the leader.

Hindi and English booklets on Sardar Patel's life compiled by the Lok Sabha secretariat were distributed to those who attended the function.

Patel, also known as the Iron Man of India, was born in a Gujarat village Oct 31, 1875. He is credited for his major role in the country's freedom struggle and integrating the nation in the aftermath of the partition in 1947.

He died Dec 15, 1950 after a brief illness. His portrait was unveiled by the then president Rajendra Prasad in the Central Hall of Parliament House April 23, 1958.