Former Union Home Minister and Punjab governor Shivraj Patil passes away
Patil served as Union Home Minister from 2004 to 2008 in the UPA government led by then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
PTC News Desk: Former Union Home Minister and senior Congress leader Shivraj Patil passed away on Friday at the age of 90. He had been ill for some time and died at his home in Latur, Maharashtra. He is survived by his son Shailesh Patil, daughter-in-law Archana, and two granddaughters.
Patil served as Union Home Minister from 2004 to 2008 in the UPA government led by then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. He held the post during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, after which he resigned. Earlier, he had been the Speaker of the 10th Lok Sabha from 1991 to 1996. From 2010 to 2015, he also served as the Governor of Punjab and the Administrator of Chandigarh. Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled his death, remembering him as a seasoned leader who had served as MLA, MP, Union Minister, and Speaker in both the Maharashtra Assembly and Lok Sabha.
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 Latur, Patil entered politics after completing his science degree at Osmania University and later studying law at Mumbai University. He began his political journey as a municipal council chief in Latur and won his first state election in 1972, securing another victory in 1978. During his years in Maharashtra politics, he held key roles such as Speaker, Deputy Speaker, and Deputy Minister of Law.
In 1980, Patil won his first Lok Sabha election from Latur, beginning a streak of seven consecutive wins — in 1980, 1984, 1989, 1991, 1996, 1998, and 1999. His winning run ended in 2004 when he lost to BJP candidate Rupatai Patil Nilangekar.
At the national level, he handled several important portfolios, including Minister of State for Defence (1980–82), Commerce (1982–83), and Science and Technology, Atomic Energy, Electronics, Space, and Ocean Development (1983–84), along with Personnel and Defence Production in Rajiv Gandhi’s government.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said that Patil’s passing marks the loss of a dignified and knowledgeable public figure.