Ahmedbhai Mohammadbhai Patel, popularly known as Ahmed Patel, was a prominent figure within the Indian National Congress, serving as its treasurer and political secretary. Renowned for his acumen in resolving political crises, he played a pivotal role in the functioning of the party, influencing every decision made by Congress President Sonia Gandhi from 1998 until October 2020. His passing on 24 November 2020 marked the end of an era for the Congress party.
Known affectionately as Ahmedbhai, Patel’s influence extended across all levels of society. Despite his immense power and stature, he remained a quintessential backroom operator, shunning the limelight. This understated style of functioning made him indispensable not only to Sonia Gandhi but also later to Rahul Gandhi, even as his approach became more unyielding over time. Sonia Gandhi admired his methodical style and relied on his ability to navigate complex contradictions within the party.
One of Patel’s most remarkable achievements was during the Maharashtra Assembly elections of 1999. Following Sharad Pawar’s split from the Congress over Sonia Gandhi’s foreign origins, the newly-formed Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the Congress fought separately against the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance. With no party securing a majority, Patel stepped in and initiated negotiations with NCP leader Praful Patel. Sonia Gandhi eventually agreed to form a coalition government, provided Pawar raised no objections. Patel not only facilitated this alliance but also ensured that Vilasrao Deshmukh became Chief Minister, thus cementing his influence in Maharashtra.
This move also allowed Patel to forge personal connections with industrialists, which proved advantageous for the Congress. His efforts extended beyond Maharashtra; in Haryana, Patel backed Bhupinder Singh Hooda, who remained deeply loyal to him.
Patel’s strategic prowess was evident once again in November 2019 when the Shiv Sena severed ties with its long-time ally, the BJP. While the Congress initially dismissed the possibility of an alliance with the Shiv Sena, internal dissent and opposition from the party’s Kerala unit were eventually overcome. With Sharad Pawar’s assistance, Patel travelled to Mumbai and successfully brokered an alliance between the Congress, Shiv Sena and NCP.
Patel’s relationship with the Shiv Sena had come full circle. In the 1990s, the Sena had made serious allegations against him in the Rajya Sabha, even demanding his retirement if proven guilty. However, by 2019, the past animosity had all but disappeared.
To the wider public, Ahmed Patel was an enigmatic figure. Yet, within Congress circles, he was recognised as a valuable asset—personable, cautious, and maintaining a relatively clean image. These traits, combined with his tenacity and strategic vision, made him a vital backstage player for the party. It was perhaps these very qualities that led Rahul Gandhi and the Congress high command to see in Patel a figure capable of countering the political clout of Gujarat’s prominent leaders, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.
As the party treasurer, Patel’s responsibilities extended beyond fundraising. He was instrumental in mobilising support for the Congress even during challenging times, such as the 2019 general elections and the assembly polls of the same year, when the party faced a series of defeats.
Patel also served as a crucial link in fostering alliances with non-NDA and non-UPA parties, including Mamata Banerjee, Mayawati, and Chandrababu Naidu. Within Congress, he was widely believed to have unparalleled access to the bureaucracy, media, and industrialists, making him an irreplaceable figure. Despite his stature, he was known for his humility and for assisting people across all walks of life, often without expecting anything in return.
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