Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Dec 12: Veteran Congress leader and former Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil passed away at his home in Latur, Maharashtra, at the age of 90 after a brief illness, family sources told PTI. He is survived by his son Shailesh Patil, daughter-in-law Archana Patil, a BJP leader, and two granddaughters.

Born on October 12, 1935, in Chakur village, Latur district, Patil’s political journey spanned local governance to the highest echelons of national politics. He began as the municipal council chief of Latur and later served two terms in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly from 1972 to 1979, holding key portfolios including Deputy Minister for Law and Judiciary, Irrigation and Protocol, and later becoming Deputy Speaker and Speaker of the Assembly.

Patil entered national politics in 1980, winning the Latur Lok Sabha seat, which he retained for seven consecutive terms until 2004. Over his parliamentary career, he held numerous ministerial roles across Defence, Commerce, Science & 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. Patil resigned following the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, taking moral responsibility for the security lapses. From 2010 to 2015, he was Governor of Punjab and Administrator of Chandigarh.

Patil documented his long political journey in his autobiography, Odyssey of My Life, reflecting on decades of public service and experiences across India’s political landscape.