Vallabhbhai Patel referred to separate electorates as "poison" during the debates in the context of India's struggle for independence and unity. He strongly opposed the policy of separate electorates, which would have divided communities and created a system that could lead to further communal divisions. Patel believed in the unity of the Indian people and saw the idea of separate electorates as a threat to the cohesion of the nation. He argued that separate electorates would only deepen divisions among Hindus, Muslims, and other communities, and prevent them from working together for India's independence.
Patel's view was that the nation's progress depended on the integration of all groups into the mainstream political process, where individuals would vote based on issues rather than religious or communal lines. His opposition to this divisive policy was part of his larger vision for a unified, secular, and independent India, where the rights and duties of all citizens were recognized equally.