Former Home Minister and veteran Congress leader Shivraj Patil passed away at his hometown, Latur in Maharashtra, on Friday morning. He was 90.
Patil passed away at his residence ‘Devghar’ after a brief illness, family sources said. 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.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled Patil’s passing, lauding him as a leader ‘passionate about contributing to the welfare of society.’
“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,” PM Modi wrote on X.
“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,” the post added.
Born on October 12, 1935, in Chakur village in Maharashtra’s Latur district, Patil rose from local politics to become one of the country’s most experienced parliamentarians.
He began his public life as the municipal council chief of Latur before serving two terms in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly between 1972 and 1979. During this period, he held key responsibilities, including Deputy Minister for Law and Judiciary, Irrigation and Protocol, and later Deputy Speaker and Speaker of the state Assembly.
Patil entered national politics in 1980, winning the Latur Lok Sabha seat for the first time. He went on to retain the constituency for seven consecutive terms until 2004.
His autobiography, Odyssey of My Life, chronicled his long journey through Indian public life.
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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.
