Eknath Shinde is an important leader in the politics of Maharashtra. He became the 20th Chief Minister of Maharashtra and played an important part in transforming the Shiv Sena party. Shinde led a movement against Uddhav Thackeray, which caused the party to split into two groups. One group is Shiv Sena, led by Shinde, and the other is Shiv Sena UBT, led by Thackeray. Right now, Shinde holds the position of Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra.
Early Life and Family Background
Eknath Shinde was born on February 9, 1964, in Satara, Maharashtra, into a Maratha family. Later, his family moved to Thane to look for better opportunities. Because of money problems, Shinde began working at a young age to help his family. During tough times, he even drove an autorickshaw to earn money. With support and encouragement from his wife, Lata, Shinde became a leader for workers at Wagle Industrial Estate in Thane.
Path to Politics
Eknath Shinde was greatly influenced by the ideas and beliefs of Balasaheb Thackeray, the founder of Shiv Sena. In the 1980s, he decided to join the Shiv Sena party, learning and growing under the mentorship of Anand Dighe, a respected leader in Thane.
Shinde became well-known for his practical thinking and ability to solve problems. He actively took part in many protests and movements, including the dispute between Maharashtra and Karnataka over the border issue. His dedication to these causes led to his arrest, and he spent 40 days in jail for his involvement.
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Political Career and Achievements
Eknath Shinde started his political journey in 1997 when he was chosen as a corporator for the Thane Municipal Corporation. Over time, he took on many important positions that helped shape his political career:
- 2004: He was first elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) in Maharashtra’s state elections.
- 2009: Shinde was elected again for his second term as an MLA.
- 2014: He was elected for a third term and was appointed as a Cabinet Minister in charge of Public Works.
- 2019: He won his fourth term as an MLA and was given key responsibilities, including overseeing Urban Development, Public Health, and Home Affairs.
- 2022: After teaming up again with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), he was made the Chief Minister of Maharashtra.
- 2024: Shinde took on the role of Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra.
Throughout his career, Eknath Shinde showed strong leadership qualities. As a dedicated Shiv Sena member, he was not always happy with some of the political alliances the party made. His dissatisfaction with these alliances led him to form a new partnership with the BJP, which played a key role in his rise to the position of Chief Minister and, later, Deputy Chief Minister.
Personal Life and Family
Eknath Shinde is happily married to his wife, Lata Shinde, who has always been there for him, offering love and support throughout his life. Unfortunately, in the year 2000, the couple went through a heartbreaking tragedy when they lost their two younger children, Deepesh and Shubhada, in a tragic boating accident.
Despite this immense loss, they found strength to carry on. Their only surviving child, their son Shrikant Shinde, has made his own mark in life. He became an orthopedic surgeon and has been serving as a Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) for Kalyan since 2014.
Educational Background
Although Eknath Shinde faced financial challenges in his early years, he did not give up on his education. After a long time, he chose to go back to studying and completed his Bachelor of Arts degree.
He studied Marathi and Political Science at Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University. This achievement came nearly twenty years after he had left school due to his family’s financial struggles. His dedication to education, even after so many years, shows his commitment to personal growth and learning.
Net Worth and Assets
Eknath Shinde’s financial situation shows that his total net worth is ₹33.94 crore. When we look at his assets, which are the things he owns, such as property, investments, and other valuable items, they are estimated to be worth ₹37.69 crore.
However, Shinde also has some debts or financial responsibilities, which amount to ₹3.75 crore. This means that after subtracting his liabilities (debts) from his assets, his net worth comes to ₹33.94 crore.
Interesting Facts About Eknath Shinde
In 2022, Eknath Shinde became one of the most searched politicians on Google. His name was frequently searched by people, reflecting his growing influence and importance in politics.
Additionally, Shinde’s journey started from his work as a labor leader, where he earned the trust and respect of many. His approach to leadership, focused on understanding the real issues faced by ordinary people, has played a major role in his success and recognition.
Important Roles and Political Achievements
- In 1997, Eknath Shinde began his political career when he was chosen as a corporator in the Thane Municipal Corporation. This was his first major step into politics, and it helped him build a strong foundation for his future roles.
- By 2005, Shinde’s political influence grew, and he was given the important responsibility of becoming the head of Shiv Sena in Thane district. This role allowed him to guide and represent the party in the region.
- In 2022, Shinde reached one of the highest points in his career when he was appointed as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra. He served in this prestigious position until 2024, leading the state through important decisions and challenges.
