Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel passes away, tributes pour in

Senior Congress leader and party's top strategist Ahmed Patel passed away on Wednesday.

Patel (71) was critical for a few days and was admitted to the Medanta Hospital in Gurugram. He had contracted COVID-19 and later developed complications. He had urged all those who came in contact with him in past few days to undergo self-isolation.

He had been admitted to the ICU of Medanta Hospital in Gurgaon on November 15.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, have condoled his demise.

In Shri Ahmed Patel, I've lost a colleague, whose entire life was dedicated to Congress. I've lost an irreplaceable comrade, a faithful colleague & a friend. Feel deeply for his bereaved family to whom I offer my sincere feelings of empathy & support, said Congress President Sonia Gandhi.

Former PM & senior Congress leader Manmohan Singh also condoles demise of party colleague Ahmed Patel, terms it an 'irreparable loss to the Congress'. "Ahmed Patel ji was one of the most trusted leaders of the party & a great friend of mine," Singh wrote in his condolence message.

Deeply anguished to hear about the demise of veteran Congress leader Shri Ahmed Patel Ji. I pray for strength to the family members and his supporters at this hour of grief, said BJP President JP Nadda.

He helped my family when I was in jail for the movement I was leading. For 4 decades he was at helm of major political affairs but was never a minister. His absence will definitely leave a huge void in the lives of Congress people, said Hardik Patel, Congress, on demise of Ahmed Patel

He was a kind, generous & thoughtful man. He kept the Congress Party together when in difficult times. He never demanded a post or a ministry. The commitment he had towards the party cannot be seen in anyone else, said Congress leader Kapil Sibal.

I have lost a brother, friend and colleague. He was a strong pillar for the Congress Party. His passing away is an irreparable loss for the party, said Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad