Congress Veteran Ahmed Patel passes away at 71

The veteran politician died at 71.

He was admitted at the Medanta Hospital after he tested positive for novel coronavirus a month back. Later his health worsened due to multiple organ failures.

His son Faisal Patel confirmed his demise in a social media post. Faisal wrote in his tweet, "With profound grief & sorrow, I regret to announce the sad and 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 said in a tweet."

He also urged all well-wishers to adhere to the COVID-19 regulations by avoiding mass gatherings.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress party chief Sonia Gandhi, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, other Congress leaders, condoled Patel's demise.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveying his condolences wrote on Twitter, "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."

Congress party chief, Sonia Gandhi, in her condolence message on the demise of the veteran leader said, "I have lost a colleague, whose entire life was dedicated to the Congress Party."

Ahmed Bhai Mohammedbhai Patel, a Member of Parliament of the Indian National Congress was born on Aug 21, 1949, in Bharuch Gujarat.

Patel started his political career by contesting local body elections in the Bharuch district of Gujarat in 1976.

He had represented Gujarat eight times in the Parliament, three times in the Lok Sabha (1977-1989), and Five times in the Rajya Sabha (1993-2020).

He served as political secretary to Sonia Gandhi, the president of the Indian National Congress. He had also served as the parliamentary secretary to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1985.

Ahmed Patel had tested positive for Covid-19 on October 1 and had been admitted to the ICU of Medanta Hospital, Gurgaon on November 15.