Ahmed Patel, a 71-year-old Rajya Sabha MP from Gujarat and a treasurer of the Congress, was an eight-term parliamentarian and considered to be a close aide of Sonia Gandhi
New Delhi: Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel has passed away early morning today due to multiple organ failure in Gurgaon hospital since his health worsened after a Covid infection. In a tweet, his son Faisal Patel informed that the Rajya Sabha MP from Gujarat died at 3.30 am today.
He tweeted, requesting all their well-wishers to adhere to the COVID-19 regulations by avoiding mass gatherings, “(Inna Lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un) With profound grief & sorrow, I regret to announce the sad & untimely demise of my father, Mr. Ahmed Patel at 25/11/2020, 03:30 AM. After testing positive for COVID-19 around a month back, his health worsened further due to multiple organ failures. May Allah grant him Jannatul firdaus, inshallah.”
@ahmedpatel pic.twitter.com/7bboZbQ2A6
— Faisal Patel (@mfaisalpatel) November 24, 2020
Patel was an eight-term parliamentarian and considered to be a close aide of interim party president Sonia Gandhi. 71-year-old Rajya Sabha MP from Gujarat and a treasurer of the Congress was undergoing treatment for coronavirus after testing positive last month. In a tweet on October 1, he had requested those who had come in contact with him to self-isolate.
President, Prime Minister condole
President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the veteran Congress leader Ahmed Patel’s death in an early morning tweet today.
Grieving the loss, Mr. Kovind tweeted, “Distressed to know that veteran Congress leader Ahmed Patel is no more. An astute Parliamentarian, Shri Patel combined the skills of a strategist and the charm of a mass leader. His amiability won him friends across party lines. My condolences to his family and friends.”
Distressed to know that veteran Congress leader Ahmed Patel is no more. An astute Parliamentarian, Shri Patel combined the skills of a strategist and the charm of a mass leader. His amiability won him friends across party lines. My condolences to his family and friends.
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) November 25, 2020
Remembering the deceased leader’s public years, Mr. Modi said, “Saddened by the demise of Ahmed Patel Ji. He spent years in public life, serving society. Known for his sharp mind, his role in strengthening the Congress Party would always be remembered. Spoke to his son Faisal and expressed condolences. May Ahmed Bhai’s soul rest in peace”
Saddened by the demise of Ahmed Patel Ji. He spent years in public life, serving society. Known for his sharp mind, his role in strengthening the Congress Party would always be remembered. Spoke to his son Faisal and expressed condolences. May Ahmed Bhai’s soul rest in peace.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 25, 2020
Gandhi family condoles
Congress president Sonia Gandhi, son Rahul Gandhi and daughter Priyanka Gandhi Vadra grieved the loss of veteran leader Ahmed Patel today morning.
Paying her tributes to the former colleague, Senior leader Sonia Gandhi said in a tweet, “In Sh. Ahmed Patel, I have lost a colleague, whose entire life was dedicated to the Congress Party. His faithfulness and dedication, his commitment to his duty, his always being there to help, his generosity were rare qualities that distinguished him from others. I have lost an irreplaceable comrade, a faithful colleague and a friend. I mourn his passing and I feel deeply for his bereaved family to whom I offer my sincere feelings of empathy and support.”
In Ahmed Patel, lost an irreplaceable comrade, a faithful colleague. My condolences to family and friends. @mfaisalpatel pic.twitter.com/4wJ7NkrWsq
— Sonia Gandhi (@SoniaGandhi_FC) November 25, 2020
Former party president Rahul Gandhi referred to the deceased as a pillar of the Indian National Congress (INC) and wrote, “It is a sad day. Shri Ahmed Patel was a pillar of the Congress party. He lived and breathed Congress and stood with the party through its most difficult times. He was a tremendous asset. We will miss him. My love and condolences to Faisal, Mumtaz & the family.”
It is a sad day. Shri Ahmed Patel was a pillar of the Congress party. He lived and breathed Congress and stood with the party through its most difficult times. He was a tremendous asset.
We will miss him. My love and condolences to Faisal, Mumtaz & the family. pic.twitter.com/sZaOXOIMEX
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) November 25, 2020
Ms. Priyanka Vadra too mourned the senior leader’s loss and said, “Ahmed ji was not only a wise and experienced colleague to whom I constantly turned for advice and counsel, he was a friend who stood by us all, steadfast, loyal, and dependable to the end. His passing away leaves an immense void. May his soul rest in peace.”
My deepest condolences to Ahmedji’s whole family, especially Mumtaz and @mfaisalpatel.
Your father’s service and commitment to our party was immeasurable. We will all miss him immensely. May his courage pass on to you and give you strength to face this tragedy. pic.twitter.com/M5x66zC3Sm
— Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) November 25, 2020
Other Congress leaders like P Chidambaran, Digvijaya Singh, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, and Manish Tiwari are among those who condoled the death of Ahmed Patel.
Leaders from across the political parties have also condoled the demise of the veteran Congress leaders. Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP) Supremo Mayawati and BJP leader Smriti Irani have also tweeted condoling the death of Mr. Patel. The Vice President of India M. Venkaiah Naidu has also expressed his grief over the death.