Mumbai: Former Maharashtra CM Manohar Joshi passes away at 86

Manohar Joshi. File Photo

Former Maharashtra Chief Minister and senior Shiv Sena leader Manohar Joshi passed away at a Mumbai hospital on Friday, where he was admitted after suffering a cardiac arrest. He was 86.

Manohar Joshi passes away: He was admitted to ICU

The former Lok Sabha Speaker was admitted in the ICU of P D Hinduja Hospital in Mumbai on Wednesday and breathed his last at the private medical facility, family said.

"Our family is deeply saddened to inform you that Mr. Manohar Joshi passed away today morning at 3 am following prolonged age related health issues. We shall be conducting his last rites at the Shivaji Park crematorium at 3 pm prior to which he shall be at our residence from 11 am to 2 pm," Joshi family said.

Manohar Joshi (86), was severely ill, the hospital had said in a statement on Thursday.

The hospital in a statement said Joshi is currently in the Intensive Care Unit, under close observation.

"Mr Manohar Joshi, Ex-Chief Minister of Maharashtra, was admitted at P.D. Hinduja Hospital on 21st February 2024. He suffered a cardiac event and is severely ill. He is currently in the ICU under close observation and receiving the best medical care and treatment," said the statement issued by Hinduja Hospital.

Manohar Joshi passes away: Political career

The Shiv Sena stalwart was admitted to the same hospital in May last year after suffering a brain haemorrhage.

Joshi Sir, as he was popularly known, was the first chief minister of the undivided Shiv Sena and held the post during 1995-1999.

He was admitted to the hospital in May last year after suffering a brain haemorrhage.
He was also elected as a member of Parliament and was the Lok Sabha Speaker from 2002 to 2004 when the Vajpayee government was in power.

Born on December 2, 1937 in coastal Konkan region of Maharashtra, Joshi obtained his Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from the prestigious Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute (VJTI) in Mumbai.

His political career began with his involvement in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and he later became a member of the Shiv Sena. In the 1980s, Joshi emerged as a key leader within the Shiv Sena, and was known for his organisational skills.

He was and was the Lok Sabha Speaker from 2002 to 2004 when the Vajpayee government was in power.

The former Union minister was married to Anagha Joshi, who died in 2020 at the age of 75. He is survived by a son and two daughters.

Joshi began his career as a teacher and entered politics in 1967. He was associated with the Shiv Sena for more than four decades.

He was a municipal councilor in Mumbai during 1968-70 and Chairman, Standing Committee of the Mumbai municipal corporation in 1970. He was the Mayor of Mumbai during 1976-1977.

He was then elected to the Maharashtra Legislative Council in 1972. After serving three terms in the Legislative Council, Joshi was elected to the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly in 1990 and was the Leader of the Opposition in the assembly during 1990-91.

In the 1999 general elections, Joshi won from the Mumbai North-Central Lok Sabha Constituency as a Shiv Sena candidate, and was later Union minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises.