FILLING THE PATEL VOID
India Today|December 21, 2020
The search for a new version of the late Ahmed Patel is on in the Congress. But with the party out of power and a generational shift in the works, the post comes with huge challenges
KAUSHIK DEKA
FILLING THE PATEL VOID

Ahmed Patel was the only Congress leader who could call all three members of the Gandhi family—party president Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi—on their mobile phones at any time of the day. This unparalleled access wasn’t just a reflection of the trust the first family had in Patel, but also a testimony to the unique role he played in the party.

He was the pivot around which the multiple power centres of the party—from the Gandhis to the veterans to the young guns—functioned. By formal designation, he was Sonia’s political secretary for two decades and treasurer of the party since 2018. But he was a lot more than that—he was trouble shooter-in-chief during any crisis and a sounding board for Congress leaders across generations.

On multiple occasions, Patel preempted possibilities of friction within the party or with allies/ rivals by working the phones or holding clandestine meetings, away from anyone’s glare, and often till the wee hours. And when needed, he was the most trusted bridge between the Congress and other parties for political negotiations. That’s the reason many observers, paying tribute to the diminutive partyman from Gujarat who passed away on November 25, called him the “rear engine” of the Congress-led UPA government between 2004 and 2014.

This story is from the December 21, 2020 edition of India Today.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the December 21, 2020 edition of India Today.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM INDIA TODAYView All
Check On Sale Of Insurance
India Today

Check On Sale Of Insurance

Complaints about insurance mis-selling come up mostly when a claim is rejected or the policyholder doesn't get what he thinks he bought the policy for

time-read
4 mins  |
April 01, 2024
How To Make Better Financial Decisions
India Today

How To Make Better Financial Decisions

Let logic, not emotion, dictate your wealth choices. Understand your emotions first, then temper them with facts, and you will arrive at better financial decisions

time-read
10+ mins  |
April 01, 2024
WHEN DO YOU GET AN INCOME TAX REFUND?
India Today

WHEN DO YOU GET AN INCOME TAX REFUND?

An assessee becomes entitled to an income tax refund when the tax they have paid exceeds what they are liable to pay in a financial year

time-read
2 mins  |
April 01, 2024
STANDING UP AND TRANSFORMING LIVES
India Today

STANDING UP AND TRANSFORMING LIVES

THE LAUNCH EVENT OF THE MAHINDRA RISE INITIATIVE, ORGANISED BY THE INDIA TODAY GROUP AND MAHINDRA & MAHINDRA, HONOURED WOMEN TRAILBLAZERS WHO ARE LEADING THE CHARGE FOR A BETTER INDIA

time-read
3 mins  |
April 01, 2024
THE SENSE OF ARRIVAL
India Today

THE SENSE OF ARRIVAL

Samantha Ruth Prabhu's journey in the film industry has been about finding success by overcoming fear

time-read
1 min  |
April 01, 2024
IN THE SAFE ZONE
India Today

IN THE SAFE ZONE

AUTOMOTIVE COMPANIES ARE INCREASINGLY FOCUSSED ON BETTER AND MORE ADVANCED SAFETY FEATURES IN THEIR CARS. HEIGHTENED CUSTOMER AWARENESS HAS GIVEN THIS AN ADDED IMPETUS

time-read
4 mins  |
April 01, 2024
TWIN STRIKE
India Today

TWIN STRIKE

WE GET A LEG OVER APRILIA'S MADE-IN-INDIA RS 457 AT THE GRUELLING KARI MOTOR SPEEDWAY

time-read
2 mins  |
April 01, 2024
INDIAN SAFETY RATINGS FOR CARS
India Today

INDIAN SAFETY RATINGS FOR CARS

THE BHARAT NEW CAR ASSESSMENT PROGRAM RATES THEM FOR BOTH ADULT AND CHILD OCCUPANT PROTECTION

time-read
2 mins  |
April 01, 2024
THE MEDIUM, NOT THE MESSAGE
India Today

THE MEDIUM, NOT THE MESSAGE

We live in an age where there is an economy built on distraction and a complete corruption of attention.

time-read
3 mins  |
April 01, 2024
HAIL TO THE KING - THE HYUNDAI CRETA GETS MAJOR UPDATES, LOOKS SET TO CONTINUE AS SEGMENT LEADER
India Today

HAIL TO THE KING - THE HYUNDAI CRETA GETS MAJOR UPDATES, LOOKS SET TO CONTINUE AS SEGMENT LEADER

Just under four years after the arrival of the second generation Creta, Hyundai has given its bestseller a major overhaul with a significant redesign of the exterior and interior, more features, enhanced safety and a new turbo petrol powertrain.

time-read
2 mins  |
April 01, 2024