Veteran Congress Leader Shivraj Patil Passes Away at 90: A Political Era Ends

Shivraj Patil, a senior Congress leader and former Union Minister, has died. He was 90 years old. He passed away at his residence in Latur, Maharashtra, on Friday.

According to PTI, his death followed a brief illness. Patil was a seven-time parliamentarian and served as the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.

A Storied Career in Parliament and Government

Shivraj Patil’s political career spanned over five decades. He first entered the Maharashtra Assembly, serving as its Speaker from 1978 to 1980.

He was later elected to the Lok Sabha seven consecutive times from Latur. In the Union government, he held several key ministerial portfolios.

These included Defence, Commerce, and Science & Technology. He served as the Lok Sabha Speaker from 1991 to 1996.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences. He noted Patil’s long service and their recent meeting.

Resignation in the Wake of 26/11

Shivraj Patil is perhaps best remembered as the Union Home Minister from 2004 to 2008. His tenure was marked by significant security challenges.

The most defining moment came after the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. The coordinated assaults, carried out by Pakistan-based militants, killed 166 people.

In a move highlighting political accountability, Patil resigned from his post. This resignation remains a pivotal moment in modern Indian political history.

Nehru-Gandhi Family Loyalist

Throughout his career, Patil was seen as a steadfast loyalist to the Congress leadership. He served in cabinets under Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi.

His first ministerial role was as Minister of State for Defence in 1980. He later held independent charge of Civil Aviation and Tourism.

After his term as Home Minister ended, he served as Governor of Punjab. He also held additional charge as Governor of Rajasthan.

The passing of Shivraj Patil marks the end of a significant chapter in India’s political narrative. His long career reflects the evolving story of the nation itself.

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How did Shivraj Patil die?

Shivraj Patil died after a brief illness. He passed away at his home in Latur, Maharashtra. His family confirmed the news to PTI.

What were his major political roles?

He was a seven-time MP from Latur and served as Lok Sabha Speaker. He held several Union Minister posts, most notably as Home Minister from 2004 to 2008.

Why did he resign as Home Minister?

He resigned following the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks (26/11). The attacks exposed major security lapses, leading to his decision to step down.

What was his connection to the Gandhi family?

Patil was considered a loyalist of the Nehru-Gandhi family. He served in the cabinets of both Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi during their prime ministerships.

Did he hold any post after active politics?

Yes. He served as the Governor of Punjab and Administrator of Chandigarh from 2010 to 2015. He also briefly held additional charge as Rajasthan’s Governor in 2011.