Veteran Congress leader Ahmed Patel dies due to COVID-19 complications

New Delhi: Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel died early Wednesday morning at a Gurgaon hospital due to COVID-19 related problems.

Confirming the news his son Faisal informed about the death of his father Ahmed Patel from multiple organ failure. Patel, Rajya Sabha MP from Gujarat died at 3.30 am on Wednesday.

Taking to Twitter Faisal wrote: "With profound grief & sorrow, I regret to announce the sad & 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."

@ahmedpatel pic.twitter.com/7bboZbQ2A6 — Faisal Patel (@mfaisalpatel) November 24, 2020

Faisal in his message on Twitter requested all their well-wishers to adhere to the COVID-19 regulations by avoiding mass gatherings.and urged everyone to follow "social distancing norms at all times".

Ahmed Patel's last rites will be held in his village, he was a resident of Piramal in Bharuch district of Gujarat. According to his family members, it was his last wish that his last rites be held in his village.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences. 

"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," PM Modi 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. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 25, 2020

President Ramnath Kovind mourned the death of Ahmed Patel and called him 'an astute politician" with "combined the skills of a strategist and the charm of a mass leader."

Taking to Twitter, President Kovind wrote,"Distressed to know that veteran Congress leader Ahmed Patel is no more. An astute Parliamentarian, Shri Patel combined the skills of a strategist and the charm of a mass leader. His amiability won him friends across party lines. My condolences to his family and friends."

Distressed to know that veteran Congress leader Ahmed Patel is no more. An astute Parliamentarian, Shri Patel combined the skills of a strategist and the charm of a mass leader. His amiability won him friends across party lines. My condolences to his family and friends. — President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) November 25, 2020

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi condoled the death of the veteran leader calling him a"tremendous asset" and that he 'lived and breathed Congress'.

"It is a sad day. Shri Ahmed Patel was a pillar of the Congress party. He lived and breathed Congress and stood with the party through its most difficult times. He was a tremendous asset. We will miss him. My love and condolences to Faisal, Mumtaz & the family," he wrote on Twitter. 

It is a sad day. Shri Ahmed Patel was a pillar of the Congress party. He lived and breathed Congress and stood with the party through its most difficult times. He was a tremendous asset.

We will miss him. My love and condolences to Faisal, Mumtaz & the family. pic.twitter.com/sZaOXOIMEX — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) November 25, 2020

Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad too mourned the demise of Ahmed Patel. "Extremely sad and shocked on the demise of Ahmed bhai. Really no words to express the pain and sorrow. You will always be remembered and cherished in our heart. Rest in peace my brother," he wrote on Twitter.

Patel, also the Treasurer of the Indian National Congress, had tested positive for the COVID-19 on October 1 and was admitted to Gurgaon's Medanta Hospital on November 15.

On October 1, Patel, while disclosing that he was tested positive for the COVID-19, had urged all those who came in contact with him in past few days to undergo self-isolation. 

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