New Delhi, Nov 26 (TIWN) The Congress on Wednesday declared a three-day mourning following the demise of its veteran leader Ahmed Patel. The party leaders and workers in all the states and districts will hold condolence meetings.

Patel was a close aide of Congress chief Sonia Gandhi. He had also served as her political secretary for many years. Mourning his death, Gandhi in a condolence message said that Patel dedicated his entire life to the Congress. “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,” she added. “I have lost an irreplaceable comrade, a faithful colleague and a friend.”