Shivraj Patil, former Union Dwelling Minister and Sabah State Chairman, who died on friday At 91 years outdated, he was one of many tallest Congress leaders in Maharashtra.
Whereas Patil selected to stay actively concerned in nationwide politics, one other Congress stalwart from Latur, the late Vilasrao Deshmukh, took cost of state affairs. However in the long run, Patil’s achievements could also be decided to a big extent by his tenure within the Dwelling Ministry from Could 22, 2004 till his resignation on November 30, 2008, days after the 26/11 terror assaults in Mumbai.
Patil’s tenure as Dwelling Minister noticed a interval of turbulence in inner safety, together with a number of high-profile terrorist incidents and intense public scrutiny of the Dwelling Ministry’s preparedness and response. His tenure was stricken by controversies that tarnished his public standing. In mid-September 2008, after the September 13 Delhi bombings, tv cameras repeatedly confirmed him in numerous costumes on the identical evening, an look his critics used to counsel an absence of gravitas amid an unfolding nationwide safety disaster. Patil responded to his critics on the time by saying, “Do not criticize my garments, criticize my insurance policies.”
Later, after the November 26-29, 2008 terrorist assaults in Mumbai sparked nationwide outrage over safety failures, Patil resigned, accepting ethical duty for the failure.
The aftermath of November 26 continued to solid a shadow over him. A U.S. diplomatic cable later launched by way of WikiLeaks quoted the U.S. ambassador as describing Patil as “stunningly incompetent” and saying his removing was inevitable, a characterization that echoed the narrative of the beleaguered Dwelling Workplace.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled his demise and mentioned, “I’m saddened by the passing away of Shri Shivraj Patil Ji.He was an skilled man who served as an MLA, Member of Parliament, Union Minister, Speaker of the Maharashtra Legislative Meeting and Speaker of the Nationwide Meeting throughout his a few years in public service.” He was a fantastic chief. He was keen about contributing to the welfare of society. I’ve had many interactions with him through the years, the latest being when he visited my residence a number of months in the past. My ideas are along with his household at this unhappy time.”
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, opposition chief Rahul Gandhi and Wayanad member of Congress Priyanka Gandhi Vadra paid tribute to Patil.
“The demise of former Union Minister and senior Congress chief Shivraj Patil Ji may be very unhappy and an irreparable loss to the celebration. His dedication to public service and contribution to the nation might be without end remembered,” Kharge mentioned.
Highlighting his particular bond with Patil, Mr. Kharge mentioned, “He was an honorable senior colleague with whom I shared an in depth bond and lots of cherished recollections. A politician of nice dignity, Shri Patil shouldered the necessary obligations of the Structure and Parliament.” His demise is a superb loss to the Congress Occasion and all those that admired his integrity, calmness and method to public service.”
Expressing disappointment over his demise, Priyanka Gandhi mentioned, “Shri Patil served the nation for many years, heading a number of necessary ministries together with the protection ministry. His demise is an irreparable loss to the Congress household.”
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis additionally condoled Patil’s demise. “It’s with nice disappointment that we announce the demise of senior chief Shivraj Patil Chakurkarji. Whereas serving in varied capacities together with Lok Sabha Speaker, Dwelling and Protection Minister and Governor, he left a mark on his character. As Lok Sabha Speaker, he launched many modern applications associated to the Congress. He held a revered place within the politics of this nation as an assertive chief. Together with his passing, we’ve got misplaced a distinguished chief in political and social life. He’ll without end be remembered as a person who supported the popularity of political civility in Maharashtra.”
From Latur to Delhi and into the political wilderness
Born on October 12, 1935 in Chakur, Latur, Shivraj Patil Chakurkar began his political profession in 1967 by profitable the Latur Municipal Council elections. He grew to become Latur Metropolis MLA twice within the Nineteen Seventies.
In 1980, Patil, an in depth ally of the Nehru-Gandhi household, received the Latur Lok Sabha constituency within the Congress and went on to win the seat for seven consecutive phrases. Earlier in his profession as a nationwide politician, Patil labored within the Protection Ministry. He served as Protection Minister in Indira Gandhi’s authorities from 1980 to 1982 after which held different associated positions within the Union Cupboard reflecting his lengthy expertise in key ministries earlier than turning into Dwelling Minister.
The state’s legislative leaders mentioned his “dignified conduct” and “rigor” in delegating obligations to elected officers had been his well-known traits. Occasion leaders say Patil is very regarded throughout the celebration for his understanding of constitutional points and is thought for his civility and for not indulging in political assaults or counterattacks.
In 2004, he misplaced the Lok Sabha polls from Latur to Rupali Patil Nilangekar of the Bharatiya Janata Occasion, daughter-in-law of former Maharashtra CM Shivajirao Patil Nilangekar. After his departure from the Union Cupboard, Patil was appointed Governor of Punjab and Governor of Chandigarh, took oath on January 22, 2010, and held the workplace till January 2015.
In later years, he remained vocal as an elder statesman, however continued to stir controversy. In October 2022, he drew sharp criticism from teams such because the Hindu Sena over feedback that instructed similarities between the Islamic idea of jihad and episodes from the Mahabharata and Gita, and was described by political opponents and a few celebrities as aggressive and missing in judgment, even because the celebration distanced itself from him. Later, an FIR was additionally registered on the remark.
His daughter-in-law Archana Patil Chakurkar joined the Bharatiya Janata Occasion a number of years in the past and contested final 12 months’s Maharashtra meeting elections towards Vilasrao Deshmukh’s son Amit Deshmukh of the Congress, however misplaced.
