Former chief minister and senior leader of Shiv Sena Manohar Joshi passed away early today at the age of 86 following age-related health issues.

Joshi was a tall leader from Maharashtra on the National stage. Joshi breathed his last at Hinduja Hospital Mumbai at around 3.00 am. He was admitted to Hinduja Hospital on February 21 after he suffered a cardiac arrest, family sources said.

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Joshi served as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra from 1995 to 1999, being 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 Vajpayee government was in power.

President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the demise of the departed leader.

Expressing sadness on Joshi’s demise , the President wrote on X, ” In his long public life, Shri Joshi endeared himself to people, earned admiration for his sharp wit and intellect and was loved by leaders cutting across party-line. My heartfelt condolences to his family members and followers.”

PM Modi said Joshi was a veteran leader who spent years in public service and held various responsibilities at the municipal, state and national level.

He further wrote, ”As Maharashtra CM, he worked tirelessly for the state’s progress. He also made noteworthy contributions as a Union Minister. During his tenure as the Lok Sabha Speaker, he strove to make our Parliamentary processes more vibrant and participative. 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.”

Speaker Om Birla also condoled the death of senior politician Manohar Joshi. ”Enriching democratic values, he established the best parliamentary traditions. Due to his distinctive and fair style of running the House, he had the respect of leaders of all parties,” he wrote on social media.

Among others, BJP president Jagat Prakash Nadda and Home Minister Rajnath Singh also expressed their condolences.

Shiv Sena (UBT) Chief Uddhav Thackeray said, “It is very unfortunate. Manohar Joshi had seen many ups and downs in his life but he never left Shiv Sena, he always stayed loyal to the party… When Balasaheb Thackeray was arrested, he was one of those arrested with him. His demise is a big loss to the party.”

According to family sources, the funeral will be held later in the day at Dadar Shivaji Park Crematorium, with full state honours.

Born on December 2, 1937, in coastal Konkan region of Maharashtra, Joshi did his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute in Mumbai. His political journey began with his involvement in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. He joined the Shiv Sena and emerged as a key leader of the party in the 1980s.

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.