Early Life and Background
Eknath Sambhaji Shinde was born on February 9, 1964, in Dare Village, Jawali taluka, Satara district, Maharashtra. His family moved to Thane, where he attended Mangala High School and Junior College until the 11th grade. Due to financial constraints, Shinde had to leave his studies and take up various jobs, including working in a beer brewery and driving an autorickshaw, to support his family.
Entry into Politics
Shinde’s political journey began in the 1980s when he joined the Shiv Sena under the influence of Bal Thackeray. He started as a grassroots worker and participated in several agitations, including the Maharashtra-Karnataka agitation, which led to his imprisonment for 40 days.
Rise in Shiv Sena
Shinde’s political career took a significant turn when he came under the mentorship of Anand Dighe, the then Thane district Sena president. Dighe’s guidance helped Shinde rise through the ranks, and he was elected as a corporator in the Thane Municipal Corporation in 1997. After Dighe’s death in 2001, Shinde stepped into his mentor’s shoes, becoming a prominent leader in Thane.
Legislative Career
Shinde was first elected to the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly in 2004 from the Kopri-Pachpakhadi constituency. He has been re-elected for four consecutive terms (2004, 2009, 2014, and 2019). During his tenure, he held various significant positions, including Leader of the Opposition, Cabinet Minister for Public Works, and Minister for Urban Development and Public Works.
Role in 2022 Maharashtra Political Crisis
In June 2022, Shinde led a rebellion against Uddhav Thackeray, citing the abandonment of Bal Thackeray’s Hindutva ideology and dissatisfaction with the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance. Shinde managed to gather a significant number of Shiv Sena MLAs and moved them to BJP-governed Gujarat, leading to a political crisis. This rebellion resulted in Uddhav Thackeray’s resignation as Chief Minister.
Chief Minister of Maharashtra
On June 30, 2022, Eknath Shinde was sworn in as the 20th Chief Minister of Maharashtra, with BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis as his Deputy Chief Minister. This marked a significant shift in Maharashtra’s political landscape, with Shinde re-establishing an alliance with the BJP.
Leadership and Vision
Shinde’s leadership style is heavily influenced by his mentor Anand Dighe, characterized by grassroots engagement and a focus on local issues. He has emphasized the importance of adhering to Bal Thackeray’s Hindutva ideology and has positioned himself as a leader who prioritizes the welfare of the common people. His vision for Maharashtra includes robust urban development, improved infrastructure, and maintaining the state’s cultural identity.
Personal Life
Shinde is married to Lata Shinde, and they have a son, Shrikant Shinde, who is an orthopedic surgeon and a Member of Parliament from the Kalyan constituency. Shinde faced a personal tragedy in 2000 when his two children drowned in a boating accident, a period during which he received significant support from Anand Dighe.Eknath Shinde’s journey from a grassroots worker to the Chief Minister of Maharashtra is a testament to his resilience, political acumen, and dedication to his party’s ideology. His rise to power has reshaped the political dynamics in Maharashtra, making him a key figure in the state’s future.
