NE NEWS SERVICE
NEW DELHI, NOV 25
Senior Congress leader and party’s top strategist Ahmed Patel died here early morning on Wednesday.
In the shocking demise of Shri. Ahmed Patel ji, the Congress Party has lost one of its strongest pillars & the nation has lost a deeply dedicated leader.
With a heavy heart we pay our profound condolences to his family & his followers at this time of grief. pic.twitter.com/Fl4a4Z1yCM
— Congress (@INCIndia) November 25, 2020
Patel (71) was critical for a few days and was admitted to the Medanta Hospital in Gurugram. He had contracted COVID-19 and later developed complications.
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.— Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) November 25, 2020
He was one of the closest aides of party president Sonia Gandhi and was her political adviser. He had often steered the party out of difficult situations.
Patel, was admitted to the Medanta hospital in Gurugram on November 15 after he developed complications.
His son Faisal said he died at 3.30 am.
“With profound grief & sorrow, I regret to announce the sad and 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,” he said in a tweet.
He also urged all well-wishers to adhere to the COVID-19 regulations by avoiding mass gatherings.
Patel was one of the closest aides of Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and her political adviser for a long time. He was the trouble-shooter of the Congress and had steered the party out of difficult situations many a time.
The veteran Congress leader had himself announced on Twitter on October 1 that he had tested positive for COVID-19 and all those who had come in close contact of him should also get tested.
Patel was an eight-time parliamentarian – five times in the Rajya Sabha, three times in the Lok Sabha. His last Rajya Sabha election was contested keenly.
He was currently the Congress treasurer, a post that he occupied thrice.
‘Have lost an irreplaceable comrade’: Sonia Gandhi
Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday condoled senior leader Ahmed Patel’s demise, saying she has lost an “irreplaceable comrade, a faithful colleague and a friend” whose entire life was dedicated to the party.
Congress President Smt Sonia Gandhi’s condolence message on the demise of Shri Ahmed Patel. pic.twitter.com/JiOwjr3j1n
— Congress (@INCIndia) November 25, 2020
In her condolence message for Patel, who served as her political secretary for years, Gandhi said, “In Shri Ahmed Patel, I have lost a colleague, whose entire life was dedicated to the Congress Party.”
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
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, she said.
“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,” the Congress president said.
“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,” Rahul Gandhi said in a tweet.
“We will miss him. My love and condolences to Faisal, Mumtaz and the family,” he added.
આપણા સૌના માર્ગદર્શક, કોંગ્રેસના વરિષ્ઠ નેતા,રાજ્યસભા સાંસદ અને ગુજરાતના પનોતાપુત્ર આદરણીય શ્રી અહેમદ પટેલ હવે આપણી વચ્ચે નથી રહ્યા. પરમ કૃપાળુ પરમાત્મા એમના દિવ્ય આત્માને શાંતિ અર્પે અને એમના શોકાતુર પરિવારને દુઃખ સહન કરવાની શક્તિ આપે એજ પ્રાર્થના. pic.twitter.com/sFCkMP0LFs
— Gujarat Congress (@INCGujarat) November 25, 2020
Patel’s role in strengthening Cong will always be remembered: PM Modi
Condoling the death of senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said his role in strengthening the opposition party will always be remembered.
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
Patel spent years in public life, serving the society, Modi noted.
કોંગ્રેસના વરિષ્ઠ નેતા અને રાજ્યસભાના સાંસદ શ્રી અહેમદભાઈ પટેલના દુઃખદ અવસાનથી શોકમગ્ન છું. કોંગ્રેસ પાર્ટીને મજબૂત બનાવવામાં તેમની ભૂમિકા અને તેમના સામાજીક કાર્યો હંમેશા યાદ રહેશે.
પ્રભુ એમના આત્માને શાંતિ અર્પે અને પરિવારને આ દુ:ખ સહન કરવાની શક્તિ બક્ષે એ જ પ્રાર્થના.
ૐ શાંતિ
— Vijay Rupani Memorial (@vijayrupanibjp) November 25, 2020
“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,” the prime minister said in a tweet.