Vajpayee's death a gigantic loss to nation: Ahmed Patel

Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel today remembered former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee as a "harbinger of peace and a firm believer in democracy".

He said the death of the former premier was a "gigantic loss" to the nation.

"Vajpayee ji was a builder of consensus, a harbinger of peace and a firm believer in democracy. He showed to the country that there can be strength even in compassion. He showed that differences in opinion can be expressed in a dignified manner," Patel, who turned 69 today, said in a statement.


The Rajya Sabha MP and the party veteran, who was today appointed as the Congress treasurer in place of Motilal Vora, said the nation has suffered a "gigantic loss" in the death of Vajpayee.

Vajpayee, 93, died at the AIIMS hospital in Delhi on August 16 following a prolonged illness.

In a message to the Congress workers, Patel, who was the political secretary to former Congress president Sonia Gandhi, appealed to them not to celebrate his birthday in view of the national mourning following the death of Vajpayee.