Shivraj Patil, whose political innings was marked by decades of service & controversies, dies at 90

Shivraj Patil, one of the Congress' most-enduring leaders and a former Union home minister whose long public life spanned local governance, national leadership and moments of deep scrutiny, passed away at his Latur residence in Maharashtra on Friday morning.

Patil, 90, breathed his last at his residence after a brief illness, leaving behind a political legacy marked by decades of service as well as the criticism he faced during major security crises, including the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. His funeral will be held on Saturday. He is survived by his son Shailesh, daughter-in-law Archana, and two granddaughters.

Tributes poured in from across party lines. President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi were among those who condoled his passing.

"Saddened by the passing of Shri Shivraj Patil Ji. He was an experienced leader, having served as an 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 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," the PM said on X. 

Singularly unusual politician: Vohra

Advertisement

I am saddened to hear about the sudden passing away of Shivraj Patil, whom I had known since the 1980s, when he was in charge of Defence Production and I was in the Ministry of Defence. Subsequently, during the period of my service and for long years after my retirement, I was placed in positions which led to my continued interactions with him, particularly when he was the Speaker of Lok Sabha, Union Home Minister and the Governor of Punjab. Of a serious bent of mind and strong spiritual convictions, he authored several meaningful books. He shall be long remembered as a singularly unusual politician.

My sincere condolences to his family.

— NN Vohra, The Tribune Trust Chairman & Former J&K Governor

Born on October 12, 1935, Patil began his public career as president of the Latur municipality between 1966 and 1970 before serving two terms as an MLA. He later held the posts of Deputy Speaker and Speaker in the Maharashtra Assembly. His national rise began in 1980 when he won the Latur Lok Sabha seat, beginning a streak of seven consecutive wins that made him one of the Congress’ most reliable parliamentarians.

Patil’s calm demeanour and deep understanding of parliamentary procedure defined his term as the 10th Speaker of the Lok Sabha from 1991 to 1996. Colleagues often recalled his composure, clarity and efforts to modernise the House at a time when Parliament was becoming increasingly combative.

He held several Union portfolios over the years, including defence, commerce, and science and technology, serving under both Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi. A rare defeat came in 2004 when he lost to BJP’s Rupatai Patil Nilangekar even as the Congress-led UPA swept the national election. Soon after, he returned to government as Union Home Minister.

It was this tenure that placed Patil at the centre of some of the decade’s most challenging security situations. The 2006 Malegaon blasts, the 2008 Delhi serial blasts and eventually the 26/11 Mumbai attacks brought intense pressure on the ministry. Alongside criticism of security lapses, Patil faced a highly publicised controversy over his multiple outfit changes on the night of the Delhi blasts and during the Mumbai attack response. Television footage showing him appearing in three different suits within hours became the basis for widespread commentary about his priorities. 

Patil defended himself firmly, arguing that personal grooming should not overshadow the hard decisions and long hours involved in crisis management, and maintained that criticism should remain focused on policy, not clothing.

After resigning on November 30, 2008, in the wake of the Mumbai attacks, Patil went on to serve as Governor of Punjab and Administrator of Chandigarh from 2010 to 2015. Reserved and soft-spoken, he continued to be a loyal Congress figure, noted for his extensive reading, command over Marathi, Hindi and English, and his articulate grasp of constitutional matters.

He occasionally courted controversy even later in life. In 2022, he faced backlash for remarks linking the idea of “jihad” to concepts he said were present in the Bhagavad Gita and Christianity. In March 2025, he and his family met PM Modi in Delhi in what was described as a cordial, non-political meeting.

Shivraj Patil’s political life, shaped by administrative calm, landmark parliamentary roles and controversies that became part of his public memory, leaves behind a complex but significant legacy. His career reflected both the promise and the pressures of public service in a changing India, marking him as one of the most recognisable political figures of his era.