Former Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil passes away at 90
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New Delhi: Veteran Congress leader Shivraj Patil passed away at the age of 90 on Friday in his hometown of Latur, Maharashtra.
The former union Home Minister held several key portfolios in the Union Cabinet in his long political career which saw him winning the Latur Lok Sabha seat seven times, The Indian Express reported.
PM Modi expressed grief at the death of Patil calling him ‘an experienced leader’ adding that Patil ‘served as MLA, MP, Union Minister, Speaker of the Maharashtra Assembly as well as the Lok Sabha during his long years in public life’.
In his distinguished public life, Patil served as Union Home Minister from 2004 to 2008 and previously was the 10th Speaker of the Lok Sabha between 1991 and 1996.
From 2010 to 2015, he was Governor of Punjab and Administrator of the Union Territory of Chandigarh.
Patil who was known for his calm demeanour and dignified conduct began his public life at grassroots as the municipal council chief of Latur before becoming MLA in the early 1970s
Known for his wide reading, Patil was fluent in Marathi, English, and Hindi alongside his impeccable command of constitutional affairs.
It is reported citing party leaders that Patil was the most respected parliamentarians of his generation.
He is survived by his son Shailesh Patil, daughter-in-law Archana, a BJP leader and two granddaughters.
