Indore, Senior Congress leader Ashwin Joshi, who served as a three-time Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Indore Assembly Constituency No. 3, passed away on May 8, 2026. He had been ailing for a prolonged period; reports indicate that he suffered a heart attack and passed away while being transported to the hospital. Ashwin Joshi was regarded as a prominent face of the Congress party within Indore's political landscape. He was elected as an MLA from Assembly Constituency No. 3 for three consecutive terms and enjoyed immense popularity due to his humble demeanor and strong rapport with the masses. In local politics, he was recognized as a grassroots leader. Ashwin Joshi hailed from a political family; he was the nephew of Mahesh Joshi, a former minister in the Madhya Pradesh government. Given the political environment within his family, he remained actively involved with the Congress organization and social activities right from the beginning. Gradually, he carved out a distinct identity for himself in the politics of Indore city and emerged as one of the Congress party's stalwart leaders. In Indore, people also affectionately knew him by the moniker "Pani Wale Baba" (The Water Baba). This nickname stemmed from his active engagement in addressing the city's water-related issues and championing the concerns of the common people. He consistently worked amidst the public, a dedication that helped him cultivate a unique and distinct public image.

He had been in poor health for quite some time and was undergoing treatment for respiratory distress and other health complications. On Friday morning, his condition suddenly deteriorated sharply. Family members rushed him to a private hospital, but doctors pronounced him dead upon arrival. Preliminary reports cite cardiac arrest and a heart attack as the cause of death. His passing has sent a wave of grief across the political spheres of both Indore and Madhya Pradesh. Numerous political dignitaries, including leaders from the Congress party, have paid their heartfelt tributes to the departed leader.