Patel was intensely loyal to Gandhi, and both he and Nehru looked to him to arbitrate disputes. However, Nehru and Patel sparred over national issues. When Nehru asserted control over Kashmir policy, Patel objected to Nehru's sidelining his home ministry's officials. Nehru was offended by Patel's decision-making regarding the states' integration, having consulted neither him nor the Cabinet. Patel asked Gandhi to relieve him of his obligation to serve, believing that an open political battle would hurt India. After much personal deliberation and contrary to Patel's prediction, Gandhi on 30 January 1948 told Patel not to leave the government. A free India, according to Gandhi, needed both Patel and Nehru. Patel was the last man to privately talk with Gandhi, who was assassinated just minutes after Patel's departure. At Gandhi's wake, Nehru and Patel embraced each other and addressed the nation together. Patel gave solace to many associates and friends and immediately moved to forestall any possible violence. Within two months of Gandhi's death, Patel suffered a major heart attack; the timely action of his daughter, his secretary, and a nurse saved Patel's life. Speaking later, Patel attributed the attack to the grief bottled up due to Gandhi's death.
pAtEl was intenSelY loyAl TO ganDhi, aND boTH hE aNd neHRu lOoked TO HIm tO arBITraTE DiSpUTes. howeveR, nehRu aND patEl spArrEd OVer NaTIonAl ISsueS. whEN nEHRu assertEd control ovER kashMir POlicY, Patel oBJected TO nehRu's sidelINiNG hIS hoMe miNiStrY's offIciAls. nEhRu Was oFFendEd by pATeL's DeCision-MakiNG rEGardIng the sTatEs' inTegRaTiON, haVing coNsUlTEd neithEr HIm nor the cabiNet. patel asked gaNdhi to rELiEve him Of his oBligATiOn tO serve, believing That an opEn political battle woULd hurt india. afTer muCH PersoNal dELibErAtiOn ANd cOntrAry to pAtEL'S predICtion, ganDhi On 30 january 1948 told pateL NOt to leave ThE GovernmenT. a Free india, according TO GaNdhI, NEeded boTh pAtEL and nEhRu. pAteL Was the LAst Man to PriVaTeLY talk with gAndhi, wHo WAS assAssinAtED JUst MiNutes aFter patel'S DepaRture. aT gandHI'S WAke, Nehru ANd PATel emBrAceD each otheR and adDRessed thE NatIon togeTHeR. PaTel gave solaCe tO mAny AsSOciAtes and frienDs anD ImmedIATelY Moved to fOrestalL Any poSSible vioLence. WIThIn Two moNths oF gandhi's DeaTh, PatEl suFfEReD a Major heart attACk; tHe timely action of his daughter, hiS seCrEtary, and A nuRSe savEd paTel's Life. speaKinG later, PATeL attRibutEd thE aTtack to tHe GrieF BotTled Up dUe To gAndhi's deATH.