Manohar Joshi, a respected political figure who once held the position of Maharashtra’s Chief Minister, passed away in Mumbai at the age of 86, following a cardiac arrest. His career spanned several decades, characterized by an ascent from his beginnings as a teacher to influential political roles, including that of the Lok Sabha Speaker. Joshi, a representative of the Shiv Sena, made significant contributions to the state’s political landscape, particularly during his tenure as Chief Minister from 1995 to 1999. With his demise, the state of Maharashtra mourns the loss of a leader whose life was interwoven with its political history.
Born on December 2, 1937, in Raigad district, Joshi later became a pivotal figure in the Shiv Sena, advocating for the party’s interests from various platforms. His roles ranged from Mumbai’s Mayor to a Member of the Legislative Assembly, and eventually capturing the roles of Maharashtra CM and Lok Sabha Speaker. Joshi is remembered fondly by his advocates and as a significant player in the shape of Maharashtra’s modern political era, despite controversies that arose from the tumultuous years of the 1990s.
Throughout his political journey, Joshi embodied the nuances of Shiv Sena politics, staying true to the ideology laid out by the party’s founder, Bal Thackeray. As tributes pour in from all corners of the political spectrum, Manohar Joshi’s passing signifies the end of an era for Maharashtra politics, his legacy surviving through the changes he brought during his extensive years of public service.