Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and NCP president Sharad Pawar today condoled the demise of senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel, lauding him as a "guiding light" and hailing his contribution towards the Congress.

Mr Thackeray said Ahmed Patel played a prominent role in the formation of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), comprising the Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress, which came to power in Maharashtra last year.