The party having been dealt a blow by the death of two of its stalwarts — Ahmed Patel and Tarun Gogoi, the Congress Working Committee today met to mourn their demise and paid rich tributes to the two leaders who fell in quick succession to post-COVID complications.
In its resolution, the CWC, which met virtually, described 'Ahmedbhai' as a man with no personal ambition but for whom “the interest of the Congress was his only interest and the advancement of the Congress' agenda was his only agenda”.
“For nearly four decades, Shri Patel was an integral part of the organisation, contributing in manifold ways as Youth Congress worker, Gujarat PCC President, AICC member, CWC member, Political Secretary to the Congress President and Treasurer. In each of the responsibilities that he assumed, he brought to bear a great sense of dedication, commitment and purpose, always keeping the interests of the Party paramount. Such was his selfless service to the party that he won thousands of friends, admirers and supporters not only within the party but across the political spectrum,” the CWC said.
The master strategist's unique capacity to reconcile competing aspirations and forge unity and comradeship among the leaders and members of the party was referred to in the resolution. The party said he carried this remarkable talent to reconciling the competing aspirations of other political parties as well and to forging coalitions at the Centre and in the states.
“He was a pillar of strength to the two coalition governments that were led by the Congress during 2004-2014,” the resolution read.
The rich tribute to Patel also noted that he was deeply religious but secular to the core. “Ahmedbhai's simplicity, austerity, accessibility and generosity were legendary,” it said.
Amidst doubts being raised about the party, in the absence of Patel, finding its way out of its current struggles and the visible divisions, the CWC said it will go forward with a sense of duty and discipline. “That is the only way that Shri Patel, or Ahmedbhai, would have wanted us to conduct our affairs,” it said.
The CWC, in its tribute to Gogoi, said he was the tallest leader of Assam and the North-Eastern region and was, for many years, the authentic voice of that region, its people and their aspirations. “As a Congress worker, MP for six terms, Union Minister, President of Assam PCC, and Chief Minister for three consecutive terms (2001-2016), he epitomised the fundamental values of the Congress party and was the party’s proud standard-bearer,” the committee said in its resolution.
It noted that Gogoi had taken over as chief minister at a most troubling time in Assam’s history. “Taking forward the historic Assam Accord of 1985, he transformed Assam into a vibrant and modern state. His critical role in persuading many militant groups to abjure violence and join the mainstream will be written in the annals of Assam and long remembered by the people,” the CWC said.
It described Gogoi as the quintessential consensus-seeker, saying in every task that he undertook, he brought his enormous knowledge of the complex issues, deft political skills, amiable disposition and genuine desire to find a common ground.
“Under his leadership, Assam became a model of communal harmony and development. His words and actions were emulated in the entire region and his views were heard with great respect in the entire country,” the CWC said.
Underlining the significance of Gogoi's death ahead of the Assembly elections in Assam, the CWC said that in recent months, Gogoi had been campaigning extensively and vigorously to secure a mandate once again for the Congress in the forthcoming state polls. “The CWC is confident that Congressmen and women of Assam will continue to take encouragement and inspiration from the life and work of Shri Gogoi and fulfil his desire,” it said.
