Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Friday paid emotional tributes to former state CM and ex-Lok Sabha Speaker Manohar Joshi, recalling his distinguished career duing which he became the “sir” of all in politics.
Shinde described senior Shiv Sena leader Joshi’s death as a personal loss and said: “We have lost a cultured, ambitious leader who had an all-round vision for the development of Maharashtra”.
In his condolence message, the Chief Minister said, “His journey from being a councilor, mayor to state chief minister, Union minister and Lok Sabha speaker will be a beacon of light for generations to come in politics and social affairs. He was a true inheritor of the thoughts of Shiv Sena chief Balasaheb Thackeray”.
He recalled that Joshi served as the President of the All India Council of Mayors, and founded the National Opposition Leaders’ Association. He was also instrumental in establishing the World Marathi Chamber of Commerce and Industry and embodied the concepts of ‘Advantage Maharashtra’ for investment in Maharashtra and ‘Agro Advantage Maharashtra’ for investment in agriculture.
Joshi passed away in the wee hours of Friday. UNI VKB SY SSP
