Senior party leaders say she inspired generations of women through her simplicity, grace, and dignified political career
NEW DELHI — The nation bid a tearful adieu to 93-year-old Mohsina Kidwai, veteran Congress leader and former Union minister, as she was laid to rest at the Nizamuddin graveyard in New Delhi on Wednesday evening.
Tributes poured in for the Congress stalwart, who breathed her last earlier in the day in a private hospital in Noida near New Delhi. Party president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, said that through her simplicity, grace, and dignified political career, she inspired generations of women across the country.
In a tweet, Kharge acknowledged her contribution to the Congress and selfless service to the nation for several decades. “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,” Kharge’s tweet said.
In his tweet, Rahul Gandhi 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.”
Mohsina Kidwai was a respected member of the Congress Working Committee for several years.
According to a statement issued by the Indian National Congress, Kidwai breathed her last at 4 am. A towering figure in Indian politics, she had a long and distinguished career spanning several decades, during which she held multiple key positions in both the party and the government.
Within the Congress, she played a pivotal organisational role, serving as an All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary and as a member of both the Congress Working Committee and the Central Election Committee (CEC). She also held the important administrative position of Chairperson of the Haj Committee, overseeing arrangements for Indian pilgrims undertaking the annual Haj pilgrimage.
Party leaders and colleagues remembered her as a dedicated leader who devoted her life to public service and the party’s ideals. “She was a pillar of strength for the Congress and a guiding force for many of us,” a senior party leader said, adding that her contributions to governance and party organisation would be remembered for years to come.
Kidwai’s passing marks the end of an era for the Congress. Senior Congress leaders acknowledged her role in shaping the party through some of its most defining moments.
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.
Kidwai was married to Khalil R. Kidwai and is survived by her three daughters.
