She has represented Mangochi South in the National Assembly for the United Democratic Front (UDF) since 2014 and previously from 1994 to 2009.

Patel joined the United Democratic Front (UDF) in the early 1990s[4] and she first represented Mangochi South in 1994.

[5] Patel was the Minister of Women's and Children's Affairs, Community Development and Social Welfare from 1996 to 1999.

[10] She has represented Mangochi South in the National Assembly for the United Democratic Front since 2014,[11][12] She was called one of the longest-serving parliamentarians in 2024 who was loyal to her party.

[4] She had been identified by Parliament's First Deputy Madalitso Kazombo as a "respectable female parliamentarian" together with Mary Mpanga and Roseby Gadama in September 2024.