Congress leader Ahmed Patel dies of coronavirus complications
Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel died of coronavirus related complications yesterday, his family said, a second veteran from the opposition party to fall victim to the virus in recent days, as total cases in the country touched the 9.2mn mark.
Patel, a Rajya Sabha MP who was party treasurer and was seen as close to the Gandhi family, was detected with Covid-19 a month ago and died of multiorgan failure, his family said in a statement.
“I have lost an irreplaceable comrade, a faithful colleague and a friend,” Congress president Sonia Gandhi said in a statement.
Considered as the Congress party’s Man Friday, Patel was the most efficient and ace troubleshooter and pacifier for the party.
In 2008 when the Congressled government was facing confidence motion after the Communists withdrew support, he managed to muster enough numbers for the government to survive.
The void created by his demise will not be filled in the party as he was an old style politician who had a cross-party outreach and had friends everywhere.
In 2007, when Gandhi gave a task to Patel to launch her son Rahul Gandhi in Uttar Pradesh, it was Patel who managed everything.
In Amroha, a Muslim dominated seat, Rahul Gandhi drew a huge crowd.
He was a backroom boy with all his skills at hand who could tell which way the wind was blowing in politics.
Born in Bharuch in Gujarat on August 21, 1949, Patel rose to be one of the most powerful politicians in the country.
When the Congress was in power, even ministers and chief ministers had to wait to get an appointment from his office.
Patel was one of the youngest leaders when he was picked by then prime minister Rajjv Gandhi to lead the Gujarat Congress.
He later joined Rajiv’s team as the parliamentary secretary, and after Sonia Gandhi took over he became her closest confidante and the only channel to reach her.
He was appointed treasurer by Rahul Gandhi in his tenure as the party resident because of his abilities to reach out to anyone.
The Congress yesterday declared a three-day mourning following Patel’s death.
Party general secretary K C Venugopal “the Congress party flag will fly at half mast for the next three days.”
In a statement the party said Congress workers across the country were deeply pained and shocked.
“We deeply mourn his loss and pray to the Almighty to give strength to the family, his loved ones and his supporters to bear the loss,” the statement said.
His colleague in the Rajya Sabha, Anand Sharma said: “Deeply shocked and saddened to lose a friend and comrade who was a pillar of strength for the Congress. Words fail me as the mind is flooded with emotions and memories. He leaves a void, an irreparable loss for the country. Will miss him always.”