Latur: Former Union home minister and Lok Sabha Speaker Shivraj Patil passed away at his home in Latur, Maharashtra, after a brief illness, on Friday. He was 90.
The veteran Congress leader is survived by son Shailesh Patil, daughter-in-law Archana, and two granddaughters.
Patil served as the Speaker of the 10th Lok Sabha from 1991 to 1996. He was also the Union home minister between 2004 and 2008 in the UPA government under then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
He tendered his resignation after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. He was also appointed as the governor of Punjab and the administrator of the Union Territory of Chandigarh from 2010 to 2015.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences on Patil’s death. “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 posted on X.
“He was passiona
te 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,” PM Modi added.
Congress MP 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,” she posted.
“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,” Priyanka added.
Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar said that Patil’s demise was a loss of a cultured and scholarly personality.
Born on October 12, 1935, in Maharashtra’s Latur, Patil was elected to the Lok Sabha on seven occasions between 1980 and 1999.
Patil held several positions and portfolios, 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 and defence production.