While former home minister Shivraj Patil patiently awaits his next assignment, he has a piece of advice for Rahul Gandhi, who has shown no inclination to join the government — that the young AICC general secretary should not “wait too long” to take the plunge. The advice comes in his yet to be published autobiography, which appears to be more like a list of didactic prescriptions and recommendations in different sectors of administration than an account of his experiences in his long public life.

Presently reading expelled BJP leader Jaswant Singh’s controversial book, Jinnah-India, Partition, Independence, the former home minister is learnt to be giving the final touches to his yet to be named memoir and is determined to strike off anything that could lead to any controversy. As evident from the 720-page manuscript, obtained by The Indian Express, Patil’s autobiography could be a big disappointment for those who expect any details not yet in the public domain.

While he has assiduously refrained from criticising any individuals or institutions — except the BJP for its stance on terrorism — Patil makes a mere passing mention of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks because of which he had to resign. He continues to abide by his Oath of Office and Secrecy that he had taken in different capacities even in his autobiography.

The following are some extracts from his memoir:

On Rahul Gandhi : “He is like his father. He is not afraid of anything. He is not interested in impressing others.

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