SRINAGAR: Veteran Congress leader and former Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil died at his residence in Latur, Maharashtra, on Friday after a brief illness. He was 90. Patil is survived by his son Shailesh Patil, daughter-in-law Archana — a BJP leader — and two grand-daughters.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the tributes, describing Patil as an experienced leader dedicated to public welfare. In a post on X, the Prime Minister recalled Patil’s long career in public life, spanning roles as MLA, MP, Union Minister and Speaker of both the Maharashtra Assembly and the Lok Sabha. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also expressed condolences, praising Patil’s decades of service and his contribution to the nation’s progress.
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. He was passionate about contributing to the welfare of… pic.twitter.com/muabyf7Va8
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 12, 2025
Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge mourned Patil’s death, calling it an irreplaceable loss for the party. Gandhi said his dedication to public service “will always be remembered”, while Kharge hailed him as “a statesman of great dignity” who served India with distinction.
पूर्व केंद्रीय मंत्री और वरिष्ठ कांग्रेस नेता शिवराज पाटिल जी के निधन का समाचार अत्यंत दुखद है और पार्टी के लिए एक अपूरणीय क्षति है।
जनसेवा के प्रति उनका समर्पण, राष्ट्र के लिए उनके योगदान हमेशा याद किए जाएंगे।
इस दुख की घड़ी में मेरी संवेदनाएं पूरे पाटिल परिवार, उनके…
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) December 12, 2025
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar described him as a “dignified, cultured, and scholarly” figure whose simplicity and integrity set benchmarks in political life.
Born on October 12, 1935 in Chakur village, Latur, Patil began his public career as the municipal council chief of Latur before being elected twice to the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly between 1972 and 1979. He served in several key roles, including Deputy Minister for Law and Judiciary, Irrigation and Protocol, and later as Deputy Speaker and Speaker of the state Assembly.
Patil entered national politics in 1980, winning the Latur Lok Sabha seat, which he went on to retain for seven consecutive terms. Over the years, he held multiple ministerial portfolios across Defence, Commerce, Science and Technology, Electronics, Space, Ocean Development, Personnel and Training, Civil Aviation and Tourism. He served as the 10th Speaker of the Lok Sabha from 1991 to 1996 and later as Union Home Minister in the UPA government from 2004 to 2008, resigning after the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. He subsequently served as Governor of Punjab and Administrator of Chandigarh from 2010 to 2015.
Patil chronicled his decades-long journey in public life in his autobiography, Odyssey of My Life.
