EknathShinde, who led the rebellion against Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, became the 20th Chief Minister of Maharashtra on July 30. Earlier, he was the Cabinet Minister of Urban Development and Public Works (Public Undertakings) in the state government. The 58-year-old is a Member of Legislative Assembly from Kopri-Pachpakhadi constituency of Thane and has been elected consecutively for 4 terms in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly in 2004, 2009, 2014 and 2019.
He was elected to the Thane Municipal Corporation in 1997 and tasked by the Shiv Sena to work there, which helped him build a base in the region. Shinde was introduced to politics by then Thane Shiv Sena President AnandDighe in early 1980 and became successor to the latter’s legacy after his death in 2001. He rose through the ranks after launching a labour union for the party. His position in the Shiv Sena became stronger after Bal Thackeray’s nephew Raj left the party and launched Maharashtra NavnirmanSena.
According to reports, Shinde’s 11-year-old son and seven-year-old daughter died by drowning during a boat ride in 2000. Shinde went into depression and was supported by Dighe at the time. Shinde’s only surviving child, Dr. ShrikantShinde, is an orthopaedic surgeon who has also been the elected Member of Parliament to the LokSabha from the Kalyan constituency since 2014.
Shinde hails from the Jawalitaluka in Satara and belongs to the Maratha community. His family moved to Thane, in the outskirts of Mumbai, in order to earn a living. Eknath studied till 11th standard at Mangala High School & Junior College, Thane. Shinde left education in early years to support his family however he resumed his studies in 2014 after joining the government ministry. He graduated with Bachelor of Arts degree from YashwantraoChavan Maharashtra Open University in 2020 with 77.25% score. He used to drive an autorickshaw to support his family before entering politics
- F khan
