Gujarat CM lauds Ahmed Patel’s role in strengthening Congress

Rupani in a tweet said he was saddened by the demise of the senior Congress leader.

Ahmedabad: Senior politicians from Gujarat, including Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, on Wednesday condoled the death of Congress Rajya Sabha member Ahmed Patel, and lauded his intelligence and perseverance as well as his role in strengthening the Congress party.

Patel (71), the Congress’s top strategist, died in a Gurugram hospital early Wednesday morning. He was suffering from complications related to COVID-19.

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Rupani in a tweet said he was saddened by the demise of the senior Congress leader.

“His role in strengthening the Congress party and his social work will always be remembered. I pray to God to give peace to his soul and strength to his family members to endure this suffering,” the BJP leader tweeted.

કોંગ્રેસના વરિષ્ઠ નેતા અને રાજ્યસભાના સાંસદ શ્રી અહેમદભાઈ પટેલના દુઃખદ અવસાનથી શોકમગ્ન છું. કોંગ્રેસ પાર્ટીને મજબૂત બનાવવામાં તેમની ભૂમિકા અને તેમના સામાજીક કાર્યો હંમેશા યાદ રહેશે.

પ્રભુ એમના આત્માને શાંતિ અર્પે અને પરિવારને આ દુ:ખ સહન કરવાની શક્તિ બક્ષે એ જ પ્રાર્થના.

ૐ શાંતિ

— Vijay Rupani (@vijayrupanibjp) November 25, 2020

Former Gujarat chief minister Shankersinh Vaghela, who quit the Congress in 2017, called Patel “a leader with intelligence and perseverance”.

“His absence will be profoundly felt. My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and party workers. May his Soul Rest in peace,” he tweeted.

Saddned to know about sudden demise of Shri Ahmedbhai Patel. He was leader with intelligence and perseverance. His absence will be profoundly felt. My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and party workers. May his Soul Rest in peace🙏 pic.twitter.com/4nlgY3v0Yr

— Shankersinh Vaghela (@ShankersinhBapu) November 25, 2020

Vaghela had left the Congress before the 2017 Gujarat Assembly polls, after he and a few MLAs supporting him voted against Ahmed Patel, the then Congress candidate for the Rajya Sabha election, and backed BJP nominee Balwantsinh Rajput.

Gujarat Congress president Amit Chavda said he was saddened beyond words by Patel’s demise.

“It’s a great loss to @INCIndia, Gujarat, the nation, & me personally. His contribution to the party will always be remembered. My deepest condolences to his family in this hour of grief. May his soul rest in peace,” Chavda tweeted.

Saddened beyond words by the passing away of Shri @ahmedpatel Ji. It’s a great loss to @INCIndia, Gujarat, the nation, & me personally. His contribution to the party will always be remembered.
My deepest condolences to his family in this hour of grief. May his soul rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/XHaUgcfZmF

— Amit Chavda (@AmitChavdaINC) November 25, 2020

Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee working president Hardik Patel described Ahmed Patel as the guide for youth like him.

“I pray to God for the peace of his departed soul. Ahmedbhai helped me become strong socially, politically and ideologically. Ahmedbhai was sympathetic to the people of Gujarat,” he tweeted.

कांग्रेस पार्टी के वरिष्ठ नेता और हम नौजवानों के मार्गदर्शक श्री अहमद भाई पटेल का निधन हुआ हैं। दिवंगत आत्मा की शांति के लिए भगवान से प्रार्थना करता हूँ। अहमद भाई ने मुझे सामाजिक, राजकीय और वैचारिक रूप से मज़बूत बनाने का काम किया हैं। अहमद भाई गुजरात की जनता के हमदर्द थे।

— Hardik Patel (@HardikPatel_) November 25, 2020