Manohar Joshi, the former Chief Minister of Maharashtra, passes away at the age of 86.

Former Maharashtra chief minister Manohar Joshi suffered a cardiac arrest on Thursday and was admitted in the ICU of P D Hinduja Hospital in Mumbai.

Manohar Joshi, the former Chief Minister of Maharashtra, passed away around 3 am on Friday due to health complications related to his age. He was 86 years old. The Chief Operating Officer of P D Hinduja Hospital, Joy Chakravarty, confirmed the news. Joshi's son, Unmesh, stated that his father had been admitted to the ICU and was under observation. He had suffered from cardiac trouble on Wednesday and had been dealing with prolonged age-related health issues. The family plans to perform his last rites at Shivaji Park crematorium after bringing his mortal remains to their house in Matunga. Joshi's health had been fragile since May 2023 when he experienced a brain haemorrhage, which led to his semi-conscious state and subsequent care at home.

Joshi, born on December 2, 1937, in Mahad, Maharashtra, graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute (VJTI) in Mumbai. His political journey began with his involvement in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and later joining the Shiv Sena. He rose to prominence within the Shiv Sena in the 1980s due to his organizational skills and grassroots connections.

His most notable political achievement was becoming the Chief Minister of Maharashtra in 1995, succeeding Sharad Pawar of the Indian National Congress, marking the Shiv Sena's first stint in power in the state. He also served as a Member of Parliament and as the Lok Sabha Speaker from 2002 to 2004 during the Vajpayee government.

Joshi, known for his managerial abilities and grassroots connect, hailed from a humble background in Nandvi village of Raigad district. Despite facing poverty, he pursued education diligently, balancing studies with meals often sourced from neighbors. His association with the Shiv Sena began in 1966, and he played a crucial role alongside Bal Thackeray in expanding the party across the state.

His tenure as Chief Minister saw significant initiatives such as the slum rehabilitation scheme and his emphasis on skill development through initiatives like the Kohinoor Technical Institute. Joshi's close association with Mumbai city enabled him to champion various development issues.

His alliance with the BJP was instrumental in the Shiv Sena-BJP coalition coming to power in Maharashtra. Joshi's understanding with Pramod Mahajan helped solidify the ties between the two parties during their time in power.