Veteran Congress Leader Shivraj Patil with a Five-Decade Career in Politics Passes Away 

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Senior Congress politician and former Union Minister Shivraj Patil passed away on Friday, 12 December 2025, following an acute condition. He was particularly praised for his loyalty to the Congress party.

One of the notable decisions that defined Patil’s legacy was his resignation as the Union Home Minister after the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. He took responsibility for the security flaw that led to the terror attacks. 

A Long and Distinguished Career in Indian Politics

Shivraj Patil had a long and noteworthy political career. He successfully served seven terms as a Lok Sabha MP from Latur. Patil started his public life as President of the Latur Municipality. He was a two-term member of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. His central political career began in the Indira Gandhi government in 1980 and he was initially the Minister of State for Defence.

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Later, he held the Union Ministry of Commerce, and Science and Technology. Patil was the tenth Speaker of the Lok Sabha from 1991 to 1996, which earned him wide respect. He also served as the Union Home Minister from 2004 to 2008. From 2010 to 2015, he was the Governor of Punjab and was also the Administrator of the Union Territory of Chandigarh.

The 26/11 Attacks and Moral Responsibility

Shivraj Patil's tenure as Home Minister ended following the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, when horrific terror strikes occurred in November 2008. He faced immense pressure and widespread criticism afterward. 

Patil announced his resignation to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh just four days after the brutal attacks. He took "moral responsibility for the security lapse" that occurred. The criticism mounted regarding his handling of internal security.

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Many leaders and the public demanded accountability at the highest level. His departure was viewed as a necessary step for damage control. P Chidambaram succeeded him as the new Home Minister.

Shivraj Patil was a responsible politician who remained loyal to the Nehru-Gandhi family throughout his political career. Even opposition leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, praised his experience in diverse fields.