Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel, who is also the adviser for Congress Interim President Sonia Gandhi, has tested positive for the COVID-19 viral infection on Thursday, becoming one of the national political leaders to get affected by the pandemic. 

71-year-old Ahmed Patel has been serving as the Member of Parliament of Congress party in Rajya Sabha and he issued conformity that he had tested positive for the pandemic through Twitter. The leader, who is close to the party's high command, has appealed all those who have come in close contact with him recently to get tested and isolated. 

Taking to Twitter, Ahmed Patel said, "I have tested positive for Covid19. I request all those who came in close contact with me recently, to self-isolate". According to reports, Patel has self-isolated himself at his residence in Delhi. 

I have tested positive for Covid19. I request all those who came in close contact with me recently, to self isolate

— Ahmed Patel (@ahmedpatel) October 1, 2020

Earlier, senior Congress leaders Abhishek Singhvi and Tarun Gogoi have tested positive for the pandemic. Ahmed Patel has been one of the Parliamentarians confirmed to have contracted to the viral infection days after the conclusion of the monsoon session. During the session, about 25 MPs were tested positive for the viral infection, leaving the chambers to adjourn the session much before the end date. 

Two days back, Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu had tested positive for COVID-19, becoming the first high-power constitutional authority to spell positive for the pandemic. Naidu is the chairman of the Rajya Sabha and the reports said he could have infected to the viral infection during the ongoing session. 

The Vice-President secretariate said he was asymptomatic and in good health and under home-isolation. Earlier, about ten Union Ministers including Amit Shah had tested positive for the viral infection of which Union Minister of Railways Suresh Angadi had succumbed to the pandemic.