Former Home Minister and Congress leader Shivraj Patil passed away on Friday in his hometown, Latur, Maharashtra, at the age of 90. The veteran Congressman was suffering from a brief period of illness, and breathed his last in his residence, Devghar, as reported by the news agency PTI. He is survived by son Shailesh Patil, daughter-in-law Archana, and two granddaughters.
The senior Congressman served as the Union Home Minister from 2004 to 2008. His tenure was marked by the infamous 26/11 terrorist attack, after which he submitted his resignation. Apart from the Home Ministry, he also served as the speaker of the 10th Lok Sabha from 1991 to 1996 and later worked as the Governor of Punjab and the Administrator of the Union Territory of Chandigarh from 2010 to 2015.
Following his death, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences. Through a post on X, the PM said that he is saddened by the demise of the veteran politician.
"Saddened by the passing of Shri Shivraj Patil Ji. He was an experienced leader, having served as MLA, MP, Union Minister, Speaker of the Maharashtra Assembly as well as the Lok Sabha during his long years in public life," the PM wrote.
"He was passionate about contributing to the welfare of society. I have had many interactions with him over the years, the most recent one being when he came to my residence a few months ago. My thoughts are with his family in this sad hour. Om Shanti," he further added.
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi also expressed her grief over the demise of the veteran leader.
"The news of the demise of Congress senior leader, former Union Home Minister, and former Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Shivraj Patil Ji is extremely heartbreaking. May God grant peace to the departed soul. My deepest condolences to the bereaved family members and well-wishers. Shri Patil Ji shouldered the responsibility of several important departments, including the Ministry of Defence, and served the public for decades. His departure is an irreplaceable loss for the Congress family," she wrote on X.
Born on October 12, 1935, in Maharashtra's Latur, Patil stepped into active politics after completing his graduation in science from Osmania University and pursuing a degree in law from Mumbai University. Starting as the Municipal Council Chief in Latur, Patil soon moved to the arena of state politics after gaining his first electoral victory from Latur City in 1972. He soon established himself as a political heavyweight after being re-elected from the same seat in 1978. During his tenure in state politics, the Congressman held various positions, including the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, and Deputy Minister of Law in the state assembly.
In 1980, Patil registered his maiden electoral victory in the Lok Sabha from the Latur constituency. It marked the beginning of his seven consecutive Lok Sabha victories in 1980, 1984, 1989, 1991, 1996, 1998 and 1999. The winning streak came to a halt in 2004, when he lost to the BJP's Rupatai Patil Nilangekar. In the Central government, he held several positions, including the Minister of State for Defence (1980-82), Commerce Ministry (1982–83), Science and Technology, Atomic Energy, Electronics, Space and Ocean Development (1983–84), and Minister for Personnel, Defence Production in Rajiv Gandhi's government.
After his death, the Deputy Chief Minister, Maharashtra, Ajit Pawar, said that his demise is a loss of a cultured and scholarly personality.
Source: India Today