came to kill 5,000 people but we ensured minimal damage". Sources close to him have argued that his comments are being taken out of context and that he did not intend to downplay the grievous attack. He resigned on 1 December 2008 after further remarks on the attacks. When asked at a press conference whether the terror strike was an intelligence failure Patil said, "It is not like that. In big cities like this, small incidents do happen. It's [sic] is not a total failure." Patil's words drew flak from many quarters. Mumbai residents who saw him say this on television or were told about it by reporters pointed out the irony of politicians making such statements after being provided high security. Death Patil died at Lilavati Hospital and Research Centre after a long fight with oral cancer. Patil showed signs of improvement after his initial treatment and was taken off life support in January 2015, but he succumbed to the disease on 16 February 2015. The last rites were performed in Anjani village in Tasgaon area of Sangli district, Maharashtra on 17 February 2015. Patil's funeral was held with state honours, including a 21-gun salute by the Maharashtra government and was attended by the Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Anna Hazare, Sharad Pawar and other political leaders from various parties. References External links Aaba Patil's Blog "R R Patil to be new Maharashtra Dy CM" - rediff.com article dated 29 October 2004 "R R Patil elected new deputy CM of Maharashtra" - HindustanTimes.com article dated 29 October 2004 Profile of R R Patil - HindustanTimes.com dated 29 October 2004 "R R Patil to be Maharashtra Dy CM" - Mid-Day article dated 29 October 2004 "R R Patil to become Maha DyCM" - Times of India article dated 29 October 2004isters of Indian states 1957 births 2015 deaths Marathi politicians Deputy Chief Ministers of Maharashtra Nationalist Congress Party politicians from Maharashtra People from Sangli district Maharashtra MLAs 1990–1995 Maharashtra MLAs 1995–1999 Maharashtra MLAs 1999–2004 Maharashtra MLAs 2004–2009 Maharashtra MLAs 2009–2014 State cabinet ministers of Maharashtra Maharashtra MLAs 2014–2019 Deaths from oral cancer Deaths from cancer in India