Sonia Gandhi expresses condolences on 'irreplaceable comrade, faithful collegaue and friend' Ahmed Patel's death

Ahmed Patel, who was Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi’s most trusted aide, breathed his last in the wee hours of Wednesday in a Gurugram hospital after battling COVID complications for over a month.

Sonia Gandhi issued a condolence message on the demise of the veteran Congressman. “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,” she said.

A staunch Nehru-Gandhi family loyalist, Ahmed Patel worked for years as the political secretary to Sonia Gandhi and was one of the most influential leaders in the Congress. Still, he never joined the government, preferring to keep a low profile.

Earlier other Congress leaders including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra took to microblogging site Twitter to express condolences on Patel’s demise.

Rahul Gandhi tweeted, “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.”

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra expressed sadness on the demise of “steadfast, loyal, and dependable friend”. She tweeted, “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.”

In another tweet to Patel’s family , she said, “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.”

Patel, who was undergoing treatment at a Gurugram hospital after testing positive for the COVID-19, breathed his last after multi-organ failure in the wee hours of Wednesday, his son Faisal confirmed. He was 71.

In a tweet, Faisal said that the Rajya Sabha MP from Gujarat died at 3.30 am on Wednesday. "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," he tweeted, requesting all their well-wishers to adhere to the COVID-19 regulations by avoiding mass gatherings. "...also maintain social distancing norms at all times," Faisal tweeted.

@ahmedpatel pic.twitter.com/7bboZbQ2A6

— Faisal Patel (@mfaisalpatel) November 24, 2020

Patel, also the Treasurer of the Indian National Congress, had tested positive for the COVID-19 on October 1 and was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of Medanta Hospital in Gurugram on November 15. On October 1, Patel, while disclosing that he was tested positive for the COVID-19, had urged all those who came in contact with him in past few days to undergo self-isolation.