Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday expressed grief over the demise of Ahmed Patel, saying that she had lost an “irreplaceable comrade, faithful colleague and a friend”.
“In Ahmed Patel, I have lost a colleague whose entire life was dedicated to the Congress Party,” she said
“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 added.
Sonia further 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 71-year-old Patel passed away at a hospital in Gurugram in early hours of Wednesday, weeks after contracting COVID-19.
The Congress party tweeted, “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.”
Ahmed Patel was close to the Nehru-Gandhi family and served as Sonia Gandhi’s political secretary for years.
