Senior leader of the Indian National congress (INC) and party treasurer Ahmed Patel (71) passed away on Wednesday morning. He was getting treatment at a Delhi hospital. The cause of his death is said to be multiple organ failure after more than a month when he was tested positive for COVID-19.
The news of his death was made public by his son Faisal Patel.
His son Faisal tweeted that he regrets to announce the sad and untimely demise of his father, Mr Ahmed Patel at 25 November, 3:30 AM. His health was worsened because of multiple organ failures.
Faisal requested well-wishers of his father to follow COVID-19 guidelines and avoid any mass gatherings to mourn the demise of the Congress leader. Since November 15, Ahmed Patel has been getting treatment at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram.
Following the news of his death, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi tweeted that it is a sad day. Shri Ahmed Patel was like a pillar of the Congress party. He lived and breathed Congress. He stood with the party even when it was going through its most difficult times. Mr Patel was a tremendous asset for the party. We will miss him. He also expressed his love and condolences for his son Faisal, his wife Mumtaz & the family.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed his condolences through Twitter. He said that he is saddened by the demise of Ahmed Patel Ji. The Congress leader spent many years in public life, serving the society. He was well-known for his sharp mind. His role in strengthening the Congress Party would always be remembered. He also spoke to his son Faisal and expressed condolences.
Ahmed Patel was Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s political secretary and so, for long has been the power centre in Congress. In 1985, he also worked as Parliamentary Secretary for her husband Rajiv Gandhi. In 2018, he was also appointed the treasurer of the party after the long time treasurer Motilal Vohra left the post.
Ahmed Patel was an eight-time parliamentarian. He served five terms in the Rajya Sabha and three terms in the Lok Sabha.
