Khushi Bhuta, Pune
The former CM of Maharashtra, Manohar Joshi, passed away at 3am on Friday after suffering a cardiac arrest. He was admitted to P. D. Hinduja Hospital and Medical Research Centre, Mumbai, on Wednesday and was in critical condition.
In a statement on Thursday, the hospital said, “Manohar Joshi, ex-Chief Minister of Maharashtra, was admitted to PD Hinduja Hospital on February 21, 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.” The former Member of Parliament of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha had been having health related issues after suffering a brain hemorrhage in 2023. While the incident took him to Hinduja Hospital’s ICU under critical condition, he was urged to move to his Shivaji Park house, where he was receiving care, since the doctors weren’t optimistic that he would make a full recovery.
Manohar Gajanan Joshi was known for his work as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra from 1995 to 1999, while under the rule of a Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party coalition government. This was the first time that the Shiv Sena had emerged as the ruling party in the state. Following his term as the Chief Minister, Joshi worked as a Member of Parliament and was a Lok Sabha speaker from the year 2002 to the year 2004, under the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government.
Having started his political career in 1972, Joshi commenced his work by winning a seat on the Legislative Council for three terms until 1989. Initially associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), he eventually joined the Shiv Sena. Here, he gained prominence for his work with common citizens and became a crucial leader within the party. He was also an integral part of contributing to the expansion of the party across the state under the leadership of Balasaheb Thackeray.
His mortal remains would be brought back to his house in Matunga, after which his last rites would be performed at the Shivaji Park crematorium in Dadar.