Cong leaders hail Ahmed Patel, recall his contribution to party on birth anniversary

New Delhi: Several Congress leaders paid tributes to Ahmed Patel on his birth anniversary on Monday, saying that for years he was the pillar of the party organisation with effective troubleshooting and crisis management skills.

Patel, who had served as a Rajya Sabha MP, AICC treasurer and Sonia Gandhi's political secretary, died in November 2020.

In a post on X, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said, "Ahmed Patel, who succumbed to COVID-19 almost 3 years back, would have been 74 today. For years he was a pillar of the Congress party organisation."

Ahmed Patel, who succumbed to COVID-19 almost 3 years back, would have been 74 today. For years he was a pillar of the Congress party organisation. Totally self-effacing and low-profile, he had friends in all political parties. His personality lent itself to effective…

— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) August 21, 2023

"Totally self-effacing and low-profile, he had friends in all political parties. His personality lent itself to effective troubleshooting and crisis management in which his skills were acknowledged to be legendary and is still recalled. He was friend, philosopher and guide to a vast many," Ramesh said.

Senior Congress leader Mukul Wasnik also paid tributes to Patel on his birth anniversary.  "He was one of the most important pillars of the Indian National Congress but remained unassuming, humble and accessible to one and all. His unparalleled contribution to the party can never be forgotten. My sincere tributes," Wasnik said.

Paying tributes to Patel, Rajeev Shukla said he was a dedicated soldier of Congress and one of the pillars of the party with excellent organisational skills.

"His commitment, leadership, guidance & contributions to the nation will always be remembered," he said.

Mumtaz Patel, the daughter of Ahmed Patel, said on X, "Am sure you are in a much better world than ours .. but we miss you!! Happy Birthday Papa!"

Am sure you are in a much better world than ours .. but we miss you !!
Happy Birthday Papa !@ahmedpatel
(21-08-1949 -25-11-2020) pic.twitter.com/spCgE2lhqw

— Mumtaz Patel (@mumtazpatels) August 20, 2023

Patel's son Faisal said his father was arguably one of the most powerful political leaders of modern day India.

"Let's honor him at his birthplace & our family bastion Bharuch, Gujarat. All are WELCOME," he said on X.

Today is my late father,@ahmedpatel’s 74th Birth Annniversary. He was arguably one of the most powerful political leaders of Modern Day #INDIA. Let’s honor him at his birthplace & our family bastion #Bharuch, #Gujarat. All are WELCOME. 🤲🇮🇳🙏🌎 @INCIndia #GPCC #BDCC @mumtazpatels pic.twitter.com/B0UqPjAA9L

— Faisal Ahmed Patel (@mfaisalpatel) August 21, 2023

Patel, who kept a low profile, was the quintessential organisation man who was a very effective crisis manager and troubleshooter.