lost Maharashtra Legislative Assembly election to Ashok Shinde of Shivsena from Hinganghat constituency in 1995. Joshi was an economic liberal who demanded reduction of state control in agriculture sector. He supported the WTO because he believed that Indian farming could be profitable if farmers had access to the global market. He was credited with coining the term Bharat vs India to highlight the neglect of rural farmers by urban elites. In his will, he left most of his estate to the Shetkari Trust, which is entrusted to take his work forward. He had been a columnist for the dailies 'The Times of India', ' Business India', 'Lokmat' etc., and also authored books on agricultural issues. Shetkari Mahila Aghadi (SMA) Sharad Joshi was also a founder of the largest organisation of rural women Shetkari Mahila Aghadi (SMA) celebrated for its work for women's property rights notably for the Lakshmi Mukti programme that has conferred land titles on lakhs of rural housewives. In 1986, Chandwad village of Nasik district in Maharashtra was witness to a gathering of over two lakh peasant women. Special Economic Zones for farm Sharad Joshi advocated SEZs in areas of India's comparative advantage, notably organic farming, aromatic and medicinal plants, manufacture of hybrid seeds and horticulture. Joshi also voiced on the need to establish credible certifying agencies for organic farm products and also suggested exclusive Zones for growing variety of onions popular in the Western countries and also the domestic market could be insulated from the international markets, and shortages could be averted even while earning foreign exchange. Socialism and Indian Constitution In December 2005 Sharad Joshi tabled private member legislation in the Rajya Sabha, demanding deletion of the word socialism from the Representation of the People Act of the Constitution of India. Publications A partial list of his writings and works includes: English Organisation of Peasants: Thought and Practice Bharat Speaks Out (1982) Bharat Eyeview (1986) The Women's Question (1986), Answering Before God (1994) Marathi AngarMala (अंगारमळा) Anwayarth (अन्वयार्थ) Part 1 and 2 Arth To Sangato Punha (अर्थ तो सांगतो पुन्हा) Khulya Vyavasthekade - Khulya Manane (खुल्या व्यवस्थेकडे - खुल्या मनाने) Chandawadchi Shidori - Striyancha Prashn (चांदवडची शिदोरी - स्त्रियांचा प्रश्न) Jag Badalnari Pustake (जग बदलणारी पुस्तके) Poshindyachi Lokshahi (पोशिंद्याची लोकशाही) Prachalit Arthavyvasthevar Nava Prakash (प्रचलित अर्थव्यवस्थेवर नवा प्रकाश) Baliche Rajya Yenar Aahe (बळीचे राज्य येणार आहे) Bharatasthi (भारतासाठी) Mazya Shetkari Bhavanno Aani Maybahininno (माझ्या शेतकरी भावांनो