In a message posted on social networking site Twitter, Tewari said the Congressmen died while fighting for democracy.
"24 brave Congressmen fell to the bullets of Left Wing Extremists while crusading for democracy and upholding the idea of India. We salute them," Tewari posted in his message.
Heavily-armed Maoists had on Saturday ambushed a convoy of Congress leaders in Bastar district, killing 27 people including PCC chief Patel, his son Dinesh, Congress leader Mahendra Karma and ex-MLA Uday Mudliyar and injuring 32 others, including former Union Minister V C Shukla.