Manohar Joshi, Politician
Politician

Manohar Joshi

Born 29 December 1937 · Maharashtra — Died 23 February 2024

Serving as Chief Minister of Maharashtra from 1995 to 1999 and Speaker of Lok Sabha from 2002 to 2004.

Manohar Gajanan Joshi was an Indian politician from the state of Maharashtra, who served as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra from 1995 to 1999, and Speaker of the Lok Sabha from 2002 to 2004. He was one of the prominent leaders of the Shiv Sena, and also one of the Indians to be elected to all of the four legislatures. He was posthumously awarded the Padma Bhushan, India's third-highest civilian honour, by the Government of India in 2025.

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A detail that
surprised us

“

Joshi was one of the few Indian politicians elected to all four legislatures: municipal, legislative council, legislative assembly, and parliament.

The Story

1
In 1968, Manohar Joshi launched his political journey as a municipal councillor in Mumbai, marking the start of over five decades in Indian politics.
2
🌟 Between 1976 and 1977, Joshi served as the Mayor of Mumbai, steering the city during a tumultuous period marked by rapid urbanization.
3By 1995, Joshi became the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, leading the Shiv Sena-BJP coalition and becoming the first non-Congress CM in the state since 1978.
4⚖️ During his tenure as Chief Minister (1995-1999), Joshi was controversially implicated by the Srikrishna Commission for alleged incitement during the 1992-1993 Mumbai riots, a charge he firmly rejected.

🏅 Awards & Honours

—
Padma Vibhushan

🔍 One thing most people don't know

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Joshi founded Kohinoor technical institutes across Maharashtra starting in the 1970s, pioneering vocational training for semi-skilled youth in trades such as TV repair and plumbing.

🖼️

Through the Years

4 photographs from the archives
Manohar Joshi being received by Union Minister Sushma Swaraj at Parliament House, New Delhi (2003).
Manohar Joshi being received by Union Minister Sushma Swaraj at Parliament House, New Delhi (2003).
2003
Manohar Joshi paying floral tributes to C. Rajagopalachari in New Delhi (2003).
Manohar Joshi leading a Shiv Sena delegation to meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi (2005).
Manohar Joshi meeting Narendra Modi in Gandhinagar in 2013.

🗓️ A Life in Moments

🕊️
Birth
Born in Raigad district, Maharashtra
Manohar Joshi was born into a Marathi-speaking Brahmin family in Nandavi, Raigad district.
1937
⚡
Career
Elected Municipal Councillor in Mumbai
Joshi began his political career by winning a municipal council seat representing Shiv Sena.
1968
⚡
Career
Mayor of Mumbai
Joshi served as Mayor of Mumbai during 1976-1977, overseeing city governance amid growth challenges.
1976
⚡
Career
Became Chief Minister of Maharashtra
Joshi took office as Maharashtra’s Chief Minister, leading the Shiv Sena-BJP coalition government.
1995
⚡
Career
Elected Speaker of Lok Sabha
Joshi assumed the role of Lok Sabha Speaker, presiding over India’s lower house of Parliament.
2002
🕊️
Death
Passed away in Mumbai
Manohar Joshi died following a cardiac arrest, ending a political career spanning over five decades.
2024
🏅
Award
Awarded Padma Bhushan posthumously
The Government of India honored Joshi with the Padma Bhushan, recognizing his contributions to politics.
2025
More moments to come...
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🗝️Discoveries

Swipe to uncover hidden stories
01 / 05
🌍HISTORICAL IMPACT

In 1995, Joshi became the first non-Congress Chief Minister of Maharashtra leading the Shiv Sena-BJP coalition, overturning decades of Congress dominance.

02 / 05
⚡CONTROVERSY

The Srikrishna Commission report explicitly named Joshi and Bal Thackeray for inciting violence during the 1992-1993 Mumbai riots, a rare official censure of prominent leaders.

03 / 05
👤PERSONAL

Joshi’s granddaughter, Sharvari Wagh, debuted as a Bollywood actress in the 2021 film ‘Bunty Aur Babli 2’, bridging politics and cinema in the family.

No quote recorded for Manohar Joshi yet.

🎙️ Speeches & Recordings

These recordings preserve the legacy of Bharat's icons
Manohar Joshi washes the verdict by Bombay High Court for seeking votes in the name of religion
More from this archive
Manohar Joshi washes the verdict by Bombay High Court for seeking votes in the name of religion
01
Manohar Joshi washes the verdict by Bombay High Court for seeking votes in the name of religion
Chief Minister of Maharashtra Manohar Joshi announces that Dabhol power project is being scraped
02
Chief Minister of Maharashtra Manohar Joshi announces that Dabhol power project is being scraped

🌱 What changed because of them

Manohar Joshi transformed vocational education in Maharashtra through his Kohinoor institutes, enabling skill development in trades like plumbing and electrician work. His tenure as Maharashtra's Chief Minister marked a shift in the state's political landscape with the rise of the Shiv Sena-BJP coalition, influencing regional politics for years. As Lok Sabha Speaker, he navigated parliamentary proceedings during a critical coalition government, impacting legislative diplomacy.

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