Ahmed Patel represented Gujarat eight times in parliament. (Archive)
New Delhi:
Congressional leader Ahmed Patel, one of Sonia Gandhi’s closest political advisers and one of the party’s top problem solvers, has died at age 71. He had been in the hospital since his health worsened after a Covid infection.
Sonia Gandhi, expressing her grief, said she had lost “an irreplaceable comrade, a faithful colleague and a friend”. The death of the veteran comes as a shock to the Gandhi family at a time when it faces a rebellion in the party after successive electoral defeats.
Ahmed Patel, loyal to the Nehru-Gandhi family, was Sonia Gandhi’s political secretary for years and was among the most powerful leaders in Congress. He never joined the government, preferring to keep a low profile.
In Congress, “AP” – as it was known – was the eyes and ears of leadership. When Sonia Gandhi took over Congress in 1997, Ahmed Patel helped her navigate difficult political waters and guided her through party crises, strategic decisions, and alliances.
Ahmed Patel represented Gujarat eight times in parliament, three times as a member of the Lok Sabha and five times as a member of the Rajya Sabha. His election to the Rajya Sabha for the fifth time in 2017 came after bitter competition. He was challenged by a former party colleague who had joined the BJP before the election.
The son of a social worker, Mr. Patel was born in Bharuch of Gujarat, which he later represented at the Lok Sabha. He joined the Youth Congress and became its state president.
Patel began his political career by participating in local body elections in Gujarat in 1976.
He was only 28 when Indira Gandhi chose him to compete in Bharuch in 1977. He won in 1980 and 1984 as well, but lost in 1990 when the BJP began to gain prominence.
He served as Parliamentary Secretary to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and later became Political Secretary to his wife Sonia Gandhi.
In 2018 he was appointed treasurer of the Congress party.
A silent operator, Patel was said to be among the main drivers of the congressional-led alliance that came to power in 2004 and 2009.
Popular in political circles as “Ahmed Bhai“It was the fly on the wall that silently listened to debates and discussions during core group meetings and cabinet formations.
It was always part of the key decisions of Congress, whether on the formation of a government, ministers, corporate ties or allies. Sonia Gandhi, the longest-serving president of Congress, relied heavily on him for critical feedback and input before taking any steps.
In a recent interview with NDTV, he had said about the questions raised about Gandhi’s leadership: “Why are you talking about the Gandhi family? The Gandhi family was there. In the future it will be there.
When a revolt threatened the Congressional Government in Rajasthan earlier this year, it was Mr. Patel who brought Sachin Pilot to the negotiating table and saved the day. After its defeat in Bihar, Congress is again in a state of confusion.
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