Senior Congress leader and former Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil passed away at his hometown Latur in Maharashtra on Friday morning, drawing heartfelt tributes from national leaders across party lines. Patil, 90, died at his residence ‘Devghar’ after a brief illness.
He is survived by his son Shailesh Patil, daughter-in-law Archana, who is a BJP leader, and two granddaughters.
PM Modi, Rajnath Singh express grief
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was deeply saddened by Patil’s passing and remembered him as a leader committed to public welfare.
“Saddened by the passing of Shri Shivraj Patil Ji. He was an experienced leader… He was passionate about contributing to the welfare of society,” the PM wrote on X, recalling his recent interaction with Patil a few months ago. “My thoughts are with his family in this sad hour. Om Shanti.”
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.x.com/muabyf7Va8
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 12, 2025
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also condoled the veteran leader’s death, describing him as a “seasoned leader” whose work left a meaningful imprint on India’s progress.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said the nation had lost a dignified public figure. “He was a symbol of simplicity and moral values… he consistently upheld ethics in politics,” Pawar noted.
Rahul Gandhi calls it an ‘irreparable loss’ to Congress
Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said Patil’s demise was “extremely heartbreaking” and an “irreparable loss” to the Congress.
“His dedication to public service and his contributions to the nation will always be remembered,” he posted on X, extending condolences to the family, well-wishers and supporters.
A five-decade political journey
Shivraj Patil served as the Union Home Minister between 2004 and 2008. After the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, he resigned, taking moral responsibility.
Between 1991 and 1996, he served as the 10th Speaker of the Lok Sabha. He later served as Governor of Punjab and Administrator of the Union Territory of Chandigarh from 2010 to 2015.
Born on October 12, 1935, in Chakur village of Latur district, Patil began his public life as the municipal council chief before being elected to the Maharashtra Assembly in the early 1970s.
He went on to win the Latur Lok Sabha seat seven times, emerging as one of the region’s most influential leaders. His only electoral loss in the constituency came in 2004, when he was defeated by the BJP’s Rupatai Patil Nilangekar.
Patil was well-read and fluent in Marathi, English and Hindi. His strong grip on constitutional matters and his thoughtful way of working made him one of the most respected parliamentarians of his time.