Senior Congress leader and one of Sonia Gandhi’s closest political advisers, Ahmed Patel died at a Gurgaon hospital this morning due to multiple organ failures after having tested positive for COVID-19 last month, his son Faisal Patel announced in a tweet. He was 71.
“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 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 Patel said in the statement.
@ahmedpatel pic.twitter.com/7bboZbQ2A6
— Faisal Patel (@mfaisalpatel) November 24, 2020
Born on August 21, 1949, at Piraman village near Bharuch in Gujarat, he represented the state eight times in Parliament – three times as a Lok Sabha member from Bharuch and five times as a Rajya Sabha member.
Patel was known for being the chief crisis manager, in emergency situations and a master strategist for the grand old party for decades.
Messages of condolences and tributes poured in soon after the announcement of his death.
Mourning the death of Patel, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi said she has lost an “irreplaceable comrade, a faithful colleague and a friend”. “I have lost a colleague, whose entire life was dedicated to the Congress party,” Gandhi said.
Rahul Gandhi called Patel 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,” he 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. pic.twitter.com/sZaOXOIMEX
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) November 25, 2020
Prime Minister Narendra Modi remembered the seasoned politician, saying “his role in strengthening the Congress Party would 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,” Modi tweeted.
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
Ahmed Patel, also the treasurer of the Congress, had tested positive for the COVID-19 on October 1 and had been admitted to the ICU of Medanta Hospital in Gurgaon on November 15. He is the second senior Congress leader to have died due to Covid-related complications, as his death comes two days after former Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi died in Guwahati.
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