New Delhi, April 8 (IANS) Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday mourned the death of former Union Minister and former Member of Parliament, Mohsina Kidwai. They said that through her simplicity, grace, and dignified political career, she inspired generations of women across the country.

Rahul Gandhi took to the social media platform ‘X’ and said, “The news of the passing of former Union Minister and former Member of Parliament, Mohsina Kidwai Ji, is deeply saddening. She was a highly senior and loyal leader of the Congress party, whose entire life stood as an exemplar of public service. Through her simplicity, grace, and dignified political success, she inspired generations of women across the country. In this hour of grief, I extend my deepest condolences to her bereaved family and supporters.”

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also took to ‘X’ and said, “Deeply saddened by the passing of Smt. Mohsina Kidwai ji, a stalwart of the Congress party and a Former Union Minister who dedicated over six decades of her life to the service of the nation. A long-serving Member of Parliament in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, and a respected member of the Congress Working Committee for several years, she remained a guiding force within the party through its most challenging phases.”

He further said that her passing was a profound loss to the Congress party.

“Her passing is a profound loss to the Congress party and to the nation. My heartfelt condolences to her family, friends and countless admirers. May her soul rest in eternal peace,” he said.

Born on January 1, 1932, in Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh, Mohsina Kidwai entered public life at a young age, beginning her career in state politics before rising to the national stage. She was elected to the Lok Sabha multiple times, representing the Meerut constituency in Uttar Pradesh.

Later, she served as a Member of the Rajya Sabha from Chhattisgarh from 2004 to 2016, contributing significantly to legislative debates and policymaking at the national level.

A respected leader within the Indian National Congress, Kidwai served on the Congress Working Committee (CWC), the party’s highest decision-making body. She also held the post of General Secretary of the All India Congress Committee (AICC), where she played a key role in strategy, organisation, and mentoring younger leaders.

Her memoir, ‘My Life in Indian Politics’, captures her experiences and reflections on decades of public service. Kidwai was married to Khalil R. Kidwai and is survived by her three daughters.

–IANS

jk/dpb