Noted farmers' leader and former Rajya Sabha MP Sharad Joshi passed away in Pune on Saturday. He was in his eighties.
Born in Satara, Maharashtra, Joshi was best known as the founder of Shetkari Sanghatana, an organisation for farmers of Maharashtra. He was also the founder of Swatantra Bharat party.
Joshi was a member of parliament, representing Maharashtra in the Rajya Sabha, during 2004-2010.
"The demise of Sharad Joshi has left a void in the farmers' movement which cannot be filled. He will always be remembered for his vast contribution in the struggle for upliftment of the farmers and the downtrodden," said Sardar Bhupinder Singh Mann, the national president of the Bhartiya Kisan Union.
"Death of Shri Joshi is a big loss to the farmers' movement," Mann added.