Shivraj Singh Patil, Veteran Congress Leader, Dies at 90

Shivraj Singh Patil, the senior Congress leader and former Union Home Minister, has died at the age of 90 at his residence in Latur. His family reported he succumbed to an age-related ailment, bringing to a close a political career that spanned more than four decades and multiple senior offices.

Fast Facts

• Age: 90 — Passed away at his home in Latur, Maharashtra.
• Cause: Reported age-related ailment.
• Political span: Over 40 years in state and national politics.
• Key offices: MLA, seven-time Lok Sabha MP, Lok Sabha Speaker, Union Home Minister, Governor of Punjab.
• Major controversies: Resigned as Home Minister after the 2008 Mumbai attacks; criticised over handling of Nandigram and other crises.

Career at a Glance

Shivraj Singh Patil began his political journey in Maharashtra, elected twice to the state assembly from Latur in the 1970s. He entered national politics with his first Lok Sabha win in 1980 and went on to secure the seat six more times consecutively through 1999. In Rajiv Gandhis government he held portfolios including Personnel, Defence Production and independent charge of Civil Aviation and Tourism. Patil rose to national prominence as the 10th Speaker of the Lok Sabha (19911996) and later served as Union Home Minister from 2004 until his resignation in 2008. He was Governor of Punjab and Administrator of Chandigarh from 2010 to 2015.

The Legacy: Top Three Achievements

1. Seven-term Lok Sabha MP from Latur — one of the regions longest-serving parliamentarians.
2. Speaker of the Lok Sabha (19911996) — presided over key debates and parliamentary reforms during a turbulent era.
3. Union Home Minister (20042008) — led the ministry through major security challenges and took moral responsibility by resigning after the 2008 Mumbai attacks.

Controversies and Criticism

Patils tenure drew intense scrutiny. Critics branded him the Nero of India for his perceived inaction during several crises; his decisions during the 2006 Malegaon blasts, the Nandigram violence and most notably the response to the November 2008 Mumbai attacks prompted widespread calls for accountability. He resigned as Home Minister in 2008, citing moral responsibility for the security lapses that led to the attacks.

Public Reaction and Tributes

News of Patils passing prompted condolences from across the political spectrum and from citizens who remembered his long public service. Party leaders, former colleagues and regional figures paid tribute to his decades-long role in national politics; social media and local gatherings reflected a mixture of respect for his public record and reminders of the controversies that marked his career.

As national attention turns to his legacy, Patils career will be remembered both for its longevity and for the debates it provoked about leadership and accountability in moments of national crisis.