Veteran Congress leader and former Union Minister Mohsina Kidwai passed away on Wednesday morning at Metro Hospital in Noida. She was 94. A pillar of the Congress party for over six decades, Kidwai had been battling age-related health issues for some time. Her demise marks the end of a storied chapter in Indian politics.

Kidwai began her political journey in 1960 and went on to serve in the cabinets of both Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi. Her political resilience was legendary; she played a pivotal role in the party’s comeback after the 1977 emergency-era defeat by winning a crucial by-election in 1978. Throughout her career, she served across four legislatures, including the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, and the UP State Assembly.

Tributes poured in from across the spectrum. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge visited her family, describing her as a leader who guided the party through its toughest times. Rahul Gandhi hailed her as an “ideal” public servant, noting that her dedication to the people would remain an inspiration for generations to come.