Manohar Joshi
Hailing from the village of Nandavi in Raigad, Joshi migrated to Mumbai, then known as Bombay, in his youth to pursue education and a career. However, he found himself drawn to politics, particularly influenced by the “son-of-the-soil” ideology of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray, who became his mentor. Joshi remained steadfastly loyal to the Thackerays throughout his political career, despite occasional public admonishments. He often reiterated his allegiance by stating, “Balasaheb is my leader.” When his tenure as chief minister was cut short, Joshi gracefully stepped aside, making way for his successor Narayan Rane in January 1999.
Joshi’s political journey was marked by gradual ascension. After obtaining his law degree from Mumbai University, he served as an officer in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Displaying entrepreneurial acumen, he established the Kohinoor Technical and Vocational Training Institute, later expanding into Kohinoor Business and Management, with branches across the state. It was during this period that he embraced Thackeray’s call to champion the cause of the Marathi manoos (sons of the soil).
His political career commenced with a successful bid in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls, where he served as a corporator from 1968 to 1972. Subsequently, he entered the Legislative Council, retaining his seat until 1989. In a notable stint, he also served as the Mayor of Mumbai from 1976 to 1977. In 1990, Joshi contested and won the Assembly elections from Dadar, a constituency he represented until 1999, a strategically significant area for Shiv Sena due to its Marathi demographic and the party’s headquarters being located there.
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Manohar Joshi, alongside his mentor Thackeray, faced accusations of inciting violence against Muslims during the 1992-93 Bombay riots, sparked by the demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. Both were named in the Srikrishna Commission report. However, Joshi, having ascended to the position of Chief Minister in the first Sena-BJP coalition government in 1995, dismissed the report as “anti-Hindu” and refused to implement its recommendations.
