Gurugram (Haryana) [India], November 25 (ANI): Senior Congress leader Ahmed 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.
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.
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.
Born on August 21, 1949, Patel pursued BSc at Shree Jayendra Puri Arts and Science College, Bharuch, South Gujarat University.
Sonia Gandhi condoles Ahmed Patel’s demise, lauds his faithfulness, dedication and commitment
Congress interim President Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday condoled the demise of veteran party leader Ahmed Patel and commended his faithfulness, dedication and commitment to his duty which distinguished him from others.
“In Shree 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,” the Congress interim chief said in a condolence message.
“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 added.
Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Kapil Sibal said that Patel was central to the functioning of the party.
“Deeply saddened by the passing away of Ahmedbhai. I am personally aggrieved because of our long and steadfast friendship. He was central to the functioning of the Congress Party. His seminal contribution to its well-being will always be remembered. May his soul rest in peace,” he tweeted.
Leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad expressed shock at the demise of Patel.
“Extremely sad and shocked at the demise of Ahmed bhai. Really no words to express the pain and sorrow. You will always be remembered and cherished in our heart. Rest in peace my brother,” he tweeted.
Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president DK Shivakumar said that Patel’s loyalty and contribution to Congress was exemplary.
“Deeply saddened and shocked by the demise of AICC Treasurer and one of the foremost leaders of the Congress party, Ahmed Patel. His steadfast loyalty and contribution to the Congress party as well as the nation was exemplary and an inspiration to us all. Condolences to his family,” he tweeted.
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) President Sharad Pawar said that Patel’s contribution to Indian National Congress will always be remembered.
“Deeply saddened to know about the demise of veteran Congress leader Shri Ahmed Patel. His contribution to @INCIndia will always be remembered. My sincere condolences to members of his family,” he tweeted.
The former chief minister of Madhya Pradesh Motilal Vora tweeted: “The news of demise of veteran Congress leader and Rajya Sabha member Ahmed Patel is extremely saddening. This is an irreparable loss for the entire country, Congress and for me. May God give peace to the departed soul and the strength to his family to bear the loss.”
Ahmed Patel was a tremendous asset for Congress: Rahul Gandhi pays tribute
Veteran Congress leader Ahmed Patel was paid rich tributes by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other political leaders on Wednesday, hours after he died at a Gurgaon hospital. He was 71.
“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,” Rahul Gandhi tweeted.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also condoled the demise of Patel and appreciated his loyalty and dependability.
“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,” she tweeted.
Congress General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala said Patel transcended party lines and touched everyone’s hearts.
“I am speechless. For a person whom all friends and opponents used the epithet – ‘Ahmed Bhai’. He always performed his duty and remained committed. He always considered the party as his family. He transcended party lines and touched everyone’s hearts. I still cannot believe it. Alvida Ahmed ji,” he tweeted.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said the demise of Patel is an irreparable loss for Congress, Gujarat and the entire country.
“The news of the demise of the valuable gem of the party Ahmed Bhai, who was steadfast in his commitment to the Congress ideology, is shocking for all of us. His passing away is an irreparable loss for Congress, Gujarat and the entire country. God may provide his family members strength. Om Shanti,” Baghel tweeted.
An astute Parliamentarian’: President condoles death of Ahmed Patel
President Ram Nath Kovind on Wednesday expressed grief over the passing away of senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel, calling him “an astute Parliamentarian.”
Patel was undergoing treatment after testing positive for the COVID-19. He breathed his last after multi-organ failure. He was 71.
“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,” Kovind tweeted.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla also condoled the death of Patel, saying the leader had goodwill from the leaders from all parties.
“The demise of Ahmed Patel, senior politician and Rajya Sabha MP is sad. He was a person who had a cordial relationship with all, who had goodwill from the leaders of all parties. The void created by his death is impossible to fulfill. My condolences to the bereaved family,” Lok Sabha Speaker tweeted.
Vice President Venkaiah Naidu also tweeted, paying his respect to the late leader.
“Deeply saddened to learn about the passing away of Rajya Sabha MP, Shri Ahmed Patel. He was an able parliamentarian and always maintained cordial relations with leaders across the political spectrum. My condolences to the bereaved family members. May his soul rest in peace,” Naidu tweeted.
Condolences have also poured in from across the political spectrum for the late leader.
Ahmed Patel’s role in strengthening Congress would always be remembered: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday expressed his condolences over the demise of veteran Congress leader Ahmed Patel in the wee hours of Wednesday. The Prime Minister said that Patel’s role in strengthening the Congress party would always be remembered.
In a tweet, the Prime Minister said that he has spoken to Patel’s son Faisal and expressed condolences.
“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,” PM Modi tweeted.
Regional leaders, former allies express grief over demise of Ahmed Patel
Several regional leaders and former allies of Congress including, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav and Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal expressed grief on the passing away of senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel.
Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday expressed grief on the passing away of senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel.
The Congress leader was undergoing treatment after testing positive for the COVID-19. He breathed his last after multi-organ failure. He was 71.
“I am saddened to hear about the passing of Ahmed Patel Ji. My deepest sympathies are with his family at this difficult time,” Akhilesh tweeted.
While condoling his death, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati said that Patel has left a deep impression on Indian politics and will always be remembered.
“The death of Ahmed Patel, a well-known name of senior Congress leader and the politics of the country, is very sad. My deepest condolences to his family and friends. He was a very simple and quite sociable person. He left a deep impression on Indian politics will always be remembered,” Mayawati tweeted in Hindi.
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav also expressed condolences over the demise of Ahmed Patel.
“Deeply pained and saddened to hear about the demise of Sh. Ahmed Patel Ji. Deepest condolences to his family, friends and well-wishers. May His soul rest in peace,” Tejashwi Yadav tweeted.
Besides the RJD leader, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also expressed shock over the death of the senior Congress leader.
“Shocked to know about the demise of Ahmed Patel ji. My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and supporters. May his soul rest in peace,” Kejriwal tweeted.
Telangana Chief Minister Chandrashekar Rao also expressed shock over the death of the senior Congress leader.
“Chief Minister Sri K Chandrashekar Rao has expressed shock over the death of senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel. The CM recalled his association with Ahmed Patel and conveyed his condolences to members of the bereaved family,” Telangana Chief Minister’s Office tweeted.
