Faisal Patel, son of the late Congress stalwart Ahmed Patel, has announced his decision to cease his involvement with the Indian National Congress , expressing profound disappointment over his experiences within the party. In a heartfelt message shared on X , he conveyed his sentiments, stating, “With great pain & anguish, I have decided to stop working for @INCIndia. It’s been a tough journey for many, many years.”
Ahmed Patel, who passed away in 2020, was a pivotal figure in the Congress party, serving as a close advisor to former party president Sonia Gandhi and playing a significant role in shaping the party’s strategies. His son, Faisal, endeavoured to follow in his father’s footsteps but felt consistently marginalized. He remarked, “My late father @ahmedpatel gave his entire life working for the country, party & the #Gandhi family. I tried following his footsteps but was denied every step of the way.”
The discontent appears to have deepened during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Faisal was keen to contest from the Bharuch constituency in Gujarat, a seat with deep personal and familial significance. However, in a seat-sharing arrangement within the opposition INDIA alliance, the Congress ceded Bharuch to the Aam Aadmi Party , a move that reportedly upset Faisal and his sister, Mumtaz. Neither sibling contested the polls following this decision.
In February 2024, Faisal had expressed his determination to contest the parliamentary elections, stating, “I will fight this parliamentary election, no matter what.” He believed that the Bharuch seat was winnable, citing his continuous work in the constituency and the prevailing sentiment following his father’s passing.
Despite his decision to step back, Faisal emphasized his enduring connection to the Congress party, referring to it as his family. He expressed gratitude to the party leaders, workers, and well-wishers who have supported him over the years. He also indicated his intention to continue serving society in other capacities, stating, “I will continue to work for mankind in any way possible.”
Faisal Patel, 44, is a Harvard Business School alumnus and is associated with the HMP Foundation. He identifies himself as an exponential entrepreneur. Notably, he does not hold any official position within the Congress party.
Reacting to Faisal’s announcement, Gujarat Congress spokesperson Hiren Banker acknowledged the significant contributions of Ahmed Patel and his family to the party’s growth both in Gujarat and nationally. He stated that the central and state leadership would reach out to Faisal to address his concerns and emphasized that the entire state Congress unit stands in solidarity with the family.
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