India, Nov. 28 -- In the past two decades, Ahmed Patel was undoubtedly the most influential Congress leader in the country. In fact, he was the de-facto president of the party, and every decision taken in the past 15 years in particular, bore his unmistakable stamp. Sonia Gandhi relied on him completely, and her tribute following his demise revealed her dependence on him; she described him as an irreplaceable comrade, faithful colleague and friend, thereby acknowledging his role in her political life. Political observers may have been surprised that she had used a Leftist term, Comrade, but then it is the bare truth that he was her confidant and she viewed him as an equal.

Ahmed Patel was a man of few words but his grip over the organiza...