Manohar Joshi passes away: Maharashtra CM, Fadnavis, Sharad Pawar pay tribute to former Lok Sabha speaker

Manohar Joshi. File Photo

Political leaders cutting across party lines paid rich tribute to former Lok Sabha speaker and Maharashtra ex-chief minister Manohar Joshi, who passed away at a Mumbai hospital on Friday, describing him as studious and disciplined.

Joshi (86) had been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Hinduja Hospital on February 21 after suffering a cardiac arrest.

Manohar Joshi passes away: Condolences pour

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said Joshi was disciplined and firm leader who had great loyalty to Shiv Sena chief Balasaheb Thackeray and contributed wholeheartedly to build the Maharashtra.

"He had deep affection for Maharashtra, Marathi people. Sir, was very humble, moderate, courteous and disciplined. He was passionate about the field of education," Shinde said.

"Today we have lost a true Shiv Sainik who was true to the views of Shiv Sena chief Balasaheb Thackeray. May the soul of Sir rest in peace," Shinde added.

Maharashtra Governor Ramesh Bais has expressed grief over the demise of the former chief minister and Lok Sabha ex-speaker Manohar Joshi, calling him one of the most respected political leaders in the state.

"A skilled organizer, outstanding parliamentarian, excellent orator, fiery opposition leader and respected Lok Sabha Speaker, Shri Joshi left his indelible mark while discharging every role," the governor said in a condolence message.

Realizing the importance of skill education long ago, Joshi created centres for imparting technical and skill education which helped thousands of young women and men secure jobs, Bais said.

"Joshi Ji was a soft-spoken and erudite parliamentarian who was respected by politicians cutting across the political spectrum," he said.

In Joshi's passing, Maharashtra has lost a man of high principles and values, Bais said. "I had the good fortune of knowing Shri Joshi intimately when he was the Speaker of the Lok Sabha. My heartfelt condolences to his family," added the condolence message.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said that Joshi's demise has caused a great loss to the political, social and education sectors of Maharashtra.

"The cultured leader who fought for the fair rights of Marathi people is lost. His death has caused a great loss to the political, social and education sectors of Maharashtra. He was known as a learned, cultured leader in the political, social and educational arena. He did remarkable work in the field of education through Kohinoor Institute and trained many Marathi youths for industrial opportunities," Pawar said.

Devendra Fadnavis, the state Deputy CM has also expressed his condolences over the death of Manohar Joshi.

Asserting that Joshi was known as a very disciplined, moderate and studious leader, Fadnavis said that the former's contribution to the political-social, educational field of Maharashtra will never be forgotten.

"The news of the death of former Chief Minister of Maharashtra, former Speaker of Lok Sabha Mr Manohar Joshi is very sad. I had a personal relationship with him. He completed all stages in his political life from corporator to mayor, MLA to Chief Minister and MP to Lok Sabha Speaker. He had the honour of being represented in all four houses namely Vidhan Sabha and Legislative Council, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. He was known as a very disciplined, moderate and studious leader...His contribution to the political-social, educational field of Maharashtra will never be forgotten," he said.

Former Union minister and NCP founder Sharad Pawar said Joshi was known in political circles as a straightforward leader who strived to get things done. As the Lok Sabha speaker, he played an important role in getting the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on Parliament premises.

BJP leader and former Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan said that with the demise of Lok Sabha Speaker Manohar Joshi, an 'intelligent and civilized leadership has passed away in Maharashtra politics'.

"His (Joshi's) struggle and long political journey from a Councilor, Mayor, Legislative Council and Assembly MLA, to Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha MP, Union Minister, Speaker of the lower house is an inspiration and example," Chavan said.

He further said that Manohar Joshi, having a studious and sharp mind, sharp eloquence and a touching nature, had excellent organizational skills.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut has also condoled the passing away of Joshi and said that the latter lived like a 'Shiv sanik' till his last breath.

"The one who created the world from nothing. The one who was extremely proud of Maharashtra. Humble greetings to Manohar Joshi who lived like a Shiv Sainik till his last breath," Raut said in a post in Marathi.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray described Joshi as a trusted aide of Sena founder Bal Thackeray and someone who fought for the rights of the Marathi people.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari also paid his tributes to the former Maharashtra Chief Minister in his post on X, "Very sad to hear the news of death of former Chief Minister of Maharashtra and former Speaker of Lok Sabha, Senior Leader Manohar Joshi Sir. With Sir's demise, the cultured face of Maharashtra politics has been lost. We have lost a leader who was very humble, passionate about Hazrajbabi and Maharashtra as well as the Marathi man. I got an opportunity to work under the leadership of Joshi sir during the coalition government. Like the head of the family, he always got guidance. May God give peace to the departed soul and strength to his family to bear this sorrow. Om Shanti."

Manohar Joshi passes away: Political career

Joshi breathed his last on Friday at around 3 am in Hinduja Hospital, Mumbai.

The 86-year-old Joshi was admitted to Hinduja Hospital on February 21 after suffering a cardiac arrest.

According to his family, the funeral will be held later in the day at Dadar Shivaji Park Crematorium.

Manohar Joshi served as chief minister from 1995 to 1999 and was the first leader from the undivided Shiv Sena to occupy the top post in the state.

He was also elected as a Member of Parliament and was the Lok Sabha Speaker from 2002 to 2004 when the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government was in power.

He was also a Member of the Rajya Sabha from 2006 to 2012 and Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises from 1999 to 2002.

He was a municipal councillor in Mumbai during 1968-70 and Chairman, of the 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.

(With inputs from Agencies)