In a somber development, Manohar Joshi, the former Chief Minister of Maharashtra and a trusted aide to Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray, has succumbed to a cardiac arrest at the age of 86. The veteran politician breathed his last at Mumbai’s Hinduja Hospital around 3 a.m. on Friday, leaving behind a legacy deeply intertwined with the early years of Shiv Sena.
The late Mr. Joshi’s mortal remains will be placed at his Matunga residence from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., providing an opportunity for people to pay their final respects. Following this, a funeral with full state honors is scheduled to take place later in the day at the iconic Shivaji Park in Dadar. It is at this hallowed ground that Manohar Joshi, one of the most recognizable faces of Shiv Sena during its formative years, will be cremated.
A pivotal figure in Maharashtra’s political landscape, Manohar Joshi achieved a historic milestone when he became the Chief Minister in 1995, leading a non-Congress government, a result of the formidable Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ‘Mahayuti’ coalition. His tenure marked a significant era in the state’s political history, contributing to the shaping of the region’s sociopolitical fabric.
As the state mourns the loss of a charismatic leader, Manohar Joshi’s legacy is sure to endure, leaving an indelible mark on Maharashtra’s political journey. The Shiv Sena, in particular, reflects on the passing of a stalwart whose contributions played a pivotal role in the party’s early growth and success.
