Former Maharashtra CM Manohar Joshi passes away at 86 after heart attack

• Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Manohar Joshi passes away at 86 after heart attack
• Joshi's last rites to be performed at Dadar crematorium in Mumbai
• Joshi, a prominent Shiv Sena figure, held various key political positions including Chief Minister and Lok Sabha Speaker

Former Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Manohar Joshi, succumbed today after suffering a heart attack two days ago. Joshi, aged 86, was admitted to PD Hinduja Hospital in Mumbai following the cardiac episode. His last rites are scheduled to take place at the Dadar crematorium in Mumbai.

Joshi, who also served as the Lok Sabha Speaker, had a long and distinguished political career. Beginning in the 1970s as a member of the Legislative Council from Shiv Sena, he later held the position of Mayor of Mumbai from 1976 to 1977. Joshi assumed the role of Chief Minister of Maharashtra from 1995 to 1999. Additionally, he served as the Lok Sabha Speaker from 2002 to 2004 during the tenure of the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government. His passing marks the end of an era, leaving behind a legacy closely intertwined with Shiv Sena's founder, the late Balasaheb Thackeray.