Covid-19 crisis has taken away many lives this year, including some of the great politicians, celebrities, and other famous personalities globally. On November 25, Congress leader – Ahmed Patel died suffering from Covid-19-related complications.

Patel was not just another politician in the Congress party but was considered to be the backbone and a sharp crisis manager of the party, especially for the president – Sonia Gandhi. The Gandhi family had always relied upon Patel for important decisions and strategies in their favour for years. He was one of the most powerful and influential personalities of the Congress, who knew exactly how and when to execute his powers with caution to make the best out of any situation. His death has left the party and its president shattered by his loss.

Patel was the political secretary and advisor to Sonia Gandhi since she became the president of Congress in 1998 and was called as her ‘gatekeeper’, protecting and advising her throughout her political career. He acted as the ‘key link’ between the Congress and the UPA ruled government and was one of the main decision-makers when Gandhi became the party president.

The congressmen described Patel as a loyal and faithful friend and colleague who stood by the party people through thick and thin. Whatever the party has achieved so far, in terms of building strong relations with other political parties, it was only possible because of Patel. He was also the bridge between the old and the young people within the party and made them work together, eradicating the generation gap and building Congress as a strong political party.

The party people are truly saddened by Patel’s demise and describe his death as a ‘true loss’ for the party. Rahul Gandhi tweeted, “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.”

Sonia Gandhi said – “In Sh. Ahmed Patel, I have lost a colleague, whose entire life was dedicated to the Congress Party. His faithfulness and dedication, his commitment to his duty, his always being there to help, his generosity were rare qualities that distinguished him from others. I have lost an irreplaceable comrade, a faithful colleague, and a friend. I mourn his passing and I feel deeply for his bereaved family to whom I offer my sincere feelings of empathy and support.”

Ahmed Patel was born in an agriculture-based family in Gujarat in 1949. He began his political career by contesting the local body elections in the Bharuch district of Gujarat in 1976. He had served as the parliamentary secretary to the former Prime Minister of India – Rajiv Gandhi. He recently had been the political secretary to Sonia Gandhi and also the treasurer of the All India Congress Committee. He died on the morning of November 25 in Medanta, the Medicity  hospital in Gurugram, Haryana at the age of 71.