Ahmed Patel was an encyclopedia of Congress leaders in state and centre

IT IS a paradox that a grand old party, which is already facing catastrophe of crisis management strategy, will be poorer after the loss of its maestro and silent executor Ahmed Patel whose demise will hit Sonia Gandhi to the maximum.

In her naturally charged emotional state, she said “I have lost an irreplaceable comrade, faithful colleague and friend. In 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.”

Ahmed Bhai, as he was referred to by his friends, loyalists and even foes, has shaken the entire party as he leaves a void in Congress set up which is already facing drought of political advisors and his replacement may be difficult to find.

In a way, he was an encyclopedia of Congress leaders in state and centre because he knew micro details of their utility, weaknesses, mass base and loyalty ingredient to Gandhi family and himself etc which made him indispensable and even Rahul Gandhi had to accept his political acumenship, astuteness and perspicacity.

Ahmad Patel was one of few Delhi based politicians whom I might have met formally in social gatherings though I was aware of his clout in Sonia’s inner circle which made him one of her most trusted loyalists for several years.

Ahmed was credited for helping Chief Minsters, State Congress presidents and CLP leaders etc due to his proximity to Sonia Gandhi who had faith in him owing to his political mind and maturity.

On the basis of my first hand knowledge, I can share that as far as Rajasthan is concerned, present Chief Minister, Ashok Gehlot owes his current position to him especially when Sachin Pilot vied for CM’s chair after Congress victory in assembly polls in the state.

Similarly, former CM of Himachal Pradesh, Virbhadra Singh always got full support from him though, at times, Sonia Gandhi was not inclined to adopt flexible attitude due to reasons known to her but she did agree to remove Kaul Singh Thakur from the post of Himachal Pradesh Congress committee prior to Nov., 2012 assembly polls to avert split in Congress. Singh’s portfolio of steels was abruptly changed and allocated less important portfolio of small and medium industries which had upset him.

High command gave more importance to senior leader from Himachal, Anand Sharma during allocation of portfolio of Commerce and Industry which had infuriated Virbhadra Singh. In this scenario, Singh wanted the reign of Himachal Congress but Sonia was reluctant which might have dwindled chances of Congress to win the state polls.

In view of such a serious crisis, Ahmed Patel proved as saviour for Himachal Congress because he convinced Sonia Gandhi to repose faith in the leadership of Singh who enjoyed a mass base in the state. He came knocking to ministerial residence of VB Singh at 1 AM and convinced him not to jump Sharad Pawar’s boat, NCP, and promised to remove Kaul Singh to appoint him as new HPCC chief.

At that time, Mukesh Agnihotri, MLA was first to reach Delhi and made preparations for next day’s press conference to divulge the plan of his mentor VB Singh to say Good Bye to Congress. Agnihotri also primarily owes his CLP post to late leader though he had support of VB Singh and some other senior leaders in Delhi though final decision was taken by Sonia and Rahul Gandhi.

Two senior leaders of HP Congress Asha Kumari and G.S.Bali also enjoyed direct access to departed leader who took care of his all ‘protégés’ in Congress.

A cursory look at Ahmed’s career shows that while being a son of a social worker, he was born in Gujarat’s Bharuch, which he later represented in the Lok Sabha. He joined the Youth Congress and went on to become its state president. Ahmed started his political career by contesting local body elections in Gujarat in 1976.

With love and regards, he was also known as “AP” and one could describe him as eyes and ears of the leadership.

When Sonia Gandhi took charge of the Congress in 1997, Ahmed Patel helped her navigate tough political waters and guided her through party crises, strategic decisions and alliances.

Sources revealed that he was always a part of key Congress decisions, be it on government formation, ministers, corporate ties or allies. Sonia Gandhi, the longest-serving Congress president, relied extensively on him for feedback and critical inputs before taking any step.

In 2018, he was appointed Treasurer of the Congress party. Observes point out that as a quiet operator, Patel was said to be among the key movers in the Congress-led alliance that came to power in 2004 and in 2009.

When a revolt threatened the Congress Government in Rajasthan earlier this year, it was Ahmed Patel who brought Sachin Pilot to the negotiating table and saved the day. After its Bihar defeat, the Congress is once again in a state of turmoil.

AS per his political journey, he was just 28 when he was handpicked by Indira Gandhi to contest from Bharuch in 1977. He won in 1980 and 1984 as well, but lost in 1990 as the BJP started gaining prominence. Ahmed Patel served as parliamentary secretary to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and went on to become political secretary to his wife Sonia Gandhi.

Congress leaders and workers will be deprived of the political piece of advice of Ahmed Patel and Gandhi family may feel it the most.

RIP.