Senior Congress leader and former Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil passed away on Friday morning at his residence in Latur, Maharashtra. He was ninety years old. His family said he died at his home Devghar after a brief illness.
Patil is survived by his son Shailesh Patil, his daughter in law Archana who is a BJP leader, and his two granddaughters.
Patil served as the Union Home Minister from 2004 to 2008. He was also the tenth Speaker of the Lok Sabha between 1991 and 1996. Later, he became the Governor of Punjab and the Administrator of Chandigarh, a role he held from 2010 to 2015.
Born on October 12, 1935, Patil began his political career as the municipal council chief of Latur. He was elected as an MLA in the early 1970s and went on to represent the Latur Lok Sabha seat seven times. He lost the 2004 Lok Sabha election to BJP leader Rupatai Patil Nilangekar.
A Congress leader who worked closely with him said Patil was known for his dignified behaviour and calm nature. The leader said he never used personal attacks in his speeches or even in private conversations.
Another party colleague remembered him as a man who read widely and prepared for every issue with great care. He said Patil spoke Marathi, English and Hindi with ease and had a deep understanding of the Constitution, which made him one of the most respected parliamentarians of his generation.
