FORMER Lok Sabha Speaker and ex-Maharashtra Chief Minister Manohar G Joshi, a senior Shiv Sena (UBT) leader, passed away following a heart attack early on Friday morning. “Our family is deeply saddened to inform you that Manohar Joshi passed away today morning at 3 am following prolonged age related health issues,” his family said in a terse announcement at dawn. Joshi, 86, was rushed to the Hinduja Hospital in Mahim after suffering a heart attack late on Thursday. ‘ Sir’, as he was popular in political circles because of his teaching background and a stern demeanour, succumbed during treatment around 3 am, plunging the State political fraternity into gloom.

 

His last rites were performed with full State Honours in the presence of former Chief Ministers Sharad Pawar, Sushilkumar Shinde and Uddhav Thackeray. One of the closest confidantes of the late Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray, Joshi had over six decades in politics starting as a Municipal Corporator, then Mayor, Maharashtra CM, Union Minister, then crowning glory as the Speaker of Lok Sabha. Top leaders across the political spectrum including President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Former Union Minister and NCP founder Sharad Pawar have paid rich tributes to Joshi who headed the first-ever Government in the State comprising the undivided Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party (1995-1999), in an era when politics was more principled and less unscrupulous.

 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the demise of the veteran leader. “Pained by the passing away of Shri Manohar Joshi Ji. He was a veteran leader who spent years in public service. Manohar Joshi Ji will also be remembered for his diligence as a legislator, having had the honour of serving in all four legislatures. Condolences to his family and supporters. Om Shanti.” Maharashtra Governor Ramesh Bais, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy CMs Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, mourned the demise of Joshi and recalled his services to the State and country. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said Joshi's political journey from councillor to Lok Sabha Speaker will serve as an inspiration to future generations. . Union minister Nitin Gadkari, who was a member of the Maharashtra ministry when Joshi was the CM, said the state had lost a cultured face of politics.