Eknath Shinde

Eknath Shinde hails from 'Dare Tamb' village, Mahabaleshwar taluka in Satara, Maharashtra, and belongs to the Maratha community.{{Cite web |date=2020-11-17 |title=Maharashtra happy that Balasaheb's Shiv Sainik will lead it, says Eknath Shinde as he becomes fourth CM hailing from Satara

|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2022/Jul/01/maharashtra-happy-that-balasahebs-shiv-sainik-will-lead-it-says-eknath-shinde-as-he-becomes-fourth-2471765.html |access-date=2024-11-29 |website=New Indian Express |language=en}}{{Cite web |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolhapur/cm-eknath-shinde-confident-mahayuti-will-mirror-haryana-election-success-in-maharashtra/articleshow/114358019.cms |title=CM Shinde: Mahayuti will replicate Haryana result |website=Times Of India |accessdate= 29 November 2024}} His family moved to Thane. He studied until 11th standard at Mangala High School & Junior College, Thane.{{cite web|title=Eknath Sambhaji Shinde(SHS):Constituency- Kopri – Panchpakhadi(e-THANE)|url=http://myneta.info/mh2009/candidate.php?candidate_id=2288|accessdate=13 November 2014}} Shinde left school to support his family financially and worked as an auto-rickshaw driver before joining politics.{{Cite web |title=From Auto Rickshaw Driver To Maharashtra Chief Minister: The Eknath Shinde Story |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/from-auto-rickshaw-driver-to-maharashtra-chief-minister-the-eknath-shinde-story-7027883 |access-date=2024-11-30 |website=NDTV.com}} He later resumed his education after joining the First Fadnavis ministry in 2014 and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University in 2020.{{Cite web |date=2020-11-17 |title=Maharashtra Minister Eknath Shinde a Degree Holder Now, Tweets Lok Sabha MP Son |url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/maharashtra-minister-eknath-shinde-a-degree-holder-now-tweets-lok-sabha-mp-son-3090245.html |access-date=2022-07-09 |website=News18 |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2022-06-21 |title=Who is Shiv Sena's Eknath Shinde and how did he rise through the ranks? |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/how-eknath-shinde-rose-through-sena-ranks-101655811574775.html |access-date=2022-07-07 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Who is Eknath Shinde, Maharashtra's New Chief Minister? |url=https://www.india.com/maharashtra/eknath-shinde-maharashtras-new-chief-minister-who-is-eknath-shinde-devendra-fadnavis-uddhav-thackeray-resigns-5484840/ |access-date=2022-07-07 |website=India.com |language=en}}

Shinde was awarded an honorary D.Litt. (Doctor of Literature) by D.Y. Patil University at the convocation of the university in Navi Mumbai on 28 March 2023, at the hands of Maharashtra governor Ramesh Bais and university chancellor Vijay Patil.{{Cite news |date=28 March 2023 |title=Online News portal |pages=मुख्यमंत्री एकनाथ शिंदे आजपासून झाले 'डॉक्टर' एकनाथ शिंदे |work=Hindustan Times |url=https://marathi.hindustantimes.com/maharashtra/maharashtra-chief-minister-eknath-shinde-conferred-an-honorary-doctor-of-literature-degree-by-d-y-patil-university-141680022954075.html |access-date=28 March 2023}}

Shinde was introduced to politics by then Thane Shiv Sena President Anand Dighe in early 1980.{{Cite web |title=Eknath Shinde: From Thane auto driver to Shiv Sena's top leader, all about him |url=https://zeenews.india.com/india/eknath-shinde-from-a-thane-auto-driver-to-shiv-senas-top-leader-all-about-the-man-who-rattled-the-thackerays-2477513.html |access-date=2022-06-27 |website=Zee News |language=en}} Initially, he was leading the Shiv Sena agitation in the Wagle Estate. He became one of the prominent labour leader in the region.{{Cite web |date=2022-07-01 |title=The rise of Eknath Shinde: From auto driver to Maharashtra CM |url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/the-rise-of-eknath-shinde-from-auto-driver-to-maharashtra-cm-11656645935500.html |access-date=2024-01-16 |website=mint |language=en}} After recognition from Dighe, in 1984 he became a Sakha Pramukh in the Thane.{{Cite web |title=Know about Maharashtra CM {{!}} Eknath Shinde |url=https://mieknathshinde.in/about.php |access-date=2024-01-16 |website=mieknathshinde.in}} In 1997, he was elected to the Thane Municipal Corporation as a corporator for the first time. Shinde became successor to Dighe's legacy after his death in 2001.{{Cite web |date=2022-06-25 |title=Parallel lives: Shinde mentor Anand Dighe, Sena strongman and a thorn in Bal Thackeray's side |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/shinde-mentor-anand-dighe-sena-strongman-thorn-in-bal-thackeray-side-7991237/ |access-date=2022-06-27 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}} Later in 2001 he was elected to the post of the Leader of the House of the Thane Municipal Corporation.{{cite web | url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/mumbai-news/eknath-shinde-from-a-seat-at-head-table-to-chief-of-rebellion-101655834989218.html | title=Eknath Shinde: From a seat at head table to chief of rebellion | publisher=Hindustan Times | date=21 June 2022 | accessdate=27 June 2022 | author=Kulkarni, Dhaval}} In 2002 he was re-elected to the Thane Municipal Corporation for the second time.

He has been elected as Member of Legislative Assembly since 2004 for four consecutive terms.

• 2004 : Elected to the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly for the first time
• 2005 : Appointed as the Thane district head of Shiv Sena. First MLA to have been appointed at such a coveted post in the party
• 2009 : Re-elected to the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly {{cite web |title=Sitting and previous MLAs from Kopri-Pachpakhadi Assembly Constituency |url=http://www.elections.in/maharashtra/assembly-constituencies/kopri-pachpakhadi.html |work=elections.in}}
• 2014 : Re-elected to the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly {{cite news|title=Eknath Shinde tops popularity charts|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thane/Eknath-Shinde-tops-popularity-charts/articleshow/44881533.cms|accessdate=14 November 2014}}
• October 2014 – December 2014: Leader of the Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly** 2014 – 2019: Cabinet Minister of PWD (PU) in Maharashtra State Government
• 2014 – 2019: Appointed as the guardian minister of Thane District
• 2018 : Appointed as a Leader of Shiv Sena Party {{Cite web|url=https://www.loksatta.com/mumbai/aditya-thackeray-appointed-as-shiv-sena-leader-manohar-joshi-sudhi-joshi-remain-same-1620595/|title=आदित्य ठाकरेंची सेनेच्या नेतेपदी वर्णी, मनोहर जोशी, सुधीर जोशीही पदावर कायम|language=mr}}
• 2019 : Cabinet Minister of Public Health and Family Welfare ({{langx|mr|सार्वजनिक आरोग्य आणि कुटुंब कल्याण}}) in Maharashtra State Government {{cite news|title=महाराष्ट्र शासन सार्वजनिक आरोग्य विभाग |url=https://arogya.maharashtra.gov.in/1133/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%95 }}
• 2019 : Elected to the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly for the fourth consecutive time
• 2019 : Appointed as the minister of Urban Development and Public Works (Public Undertakings){{Cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/politics/maharashtra-cabinet-portfolios-announced-dy-cm-ajit-pawar-gets-finance-aaditya-thackeray-allotted-tourism-and-environment-ministry-7861731.html|title=Maharashtra Cabinet portfolios announced: Dy CM Ajit Pawar gets finance and economy, Aaditya Thackeray allotted tourism and environment ministry|date=5 January 2020|website=Firstpost}}
• 2019 : Appointed as the Minister of Home Affairs (Acting) (28 November 2019 – 30 December 2019)
• 2020 : Appointed as the guardian minister of Thane district{{cite news | url = https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-maharashtra-govt-appoints-guardian-ministers-for-all-36-districts-aaditya-gets-mumbai-suburban-pune-goes-to-ajit-pawar-2808645 | title = 2020: Maharashtra govt appoints guardian ministers for all 36 districts }}
• 2022 : Appointed as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra by the Governor of Maharashtra.{{Cite web |date=2022-06-30 |title=Eknath Shinde will be sworn in as Maharashtra chief minister: Devendra Fadnavis |url=https://telanganatoday.com/eknath-shinde-will-be-sworn-in-as-maharashtra-chief-minister-devendra-fadnavis |access-date=2022-06-30 |website=Telangana Today |language=en-US}}
• 2024: Re-elected to the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly.{{cite news |last1=CNBCTV18 |date=23 November 2024 |title=Maharashtra Elections 2024: 14 candidates win by over 1 lakh votes, all from Mahayuti |url=https://www.cnbctv18.com/india/politics/maharashtra-elections-2024-14-candidates-win-1-lakh-vote-margin-mahayuti-19513783.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241204100945/https://www.cnbctv18.com/india/politics/maharashtra-elections-2024-14-candidates-win-1-lakh-vote-margin-mahayuti-19513783.htm |archive-date=4 December 2024 |access-date=4 December 2024 |language=en}} Sworn in as Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra on 5 December 2024.

{{Main|2022 Maharashtra political crisis}}

Shinde was in favour of breaking the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance and reestablishing an alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party.{{Cite web |date=2022-06-25 |title='Want to save Shiv Sena from python MVA,' says Eknath Shinde|url=https://www.firstpost.com/politics/want-to-save-shiv-sena-from-python-mva-says-eknath-shinde-as-16-rebel-mlas-receive-disqualification-notice-10837731.html/amp |access-date=2022-07-01 |website=Firstpost |language=en}} He requested Uddhav Thackeray to break the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance due to ideological differences.{{Cite web |date=June 22, 2022 |first=Chaitanya |last=Marpakwar |title=Maharashtra MVA crisis: What made Eknath Shinde turn against Shiv Sena |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/maharashtra-political-crisis-what-made-eknath-shinde-turn-against-shiv-sena/articleshow/92372903.cms |access-date=2022-07-01 |website=The Times of India |language=en}} Few Shiv Sena members alleged that their complaints were ignored by Uddhav Thackeray.{{Cite web |title=Uddhav Thackeray Left 52 Sena MLAs, His Home, But Not Sharad Pawar: Rebels |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/uddhav-thackeray-left-52-sena-mlas-cms-residence-but-not-sharad-pawar-rebel-shiv-sena-mlas-3110858 |access-date=2022-07-01 |website=NDTV.com}}{{Cite web |date=June 24, 2022 |first=Abhishek |last=Choudhari |title=Ramtek Ind MLA joins rebel Sena group, says CM ignored his plaints |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/ramtek-ind-mla-joins-rebel-sena-group-says-cm-ignored-his-plaints/articleshow/92419491.cms |access-date=2022-07-01 |website=The Times of India |language=en}} Shinde was able to gather 2/3rd of members from his party to support his request.{{Cite web |agency=PTI|date=Jun 29, 2022 |title=Maharashtra crisis: Uddhav Thackeray-led faction in hopeless minority within party, Eknath Shinde to SC |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/maharashtra-crisis-uddhav-thackeray-led-faction-in-hopeless-minority-within-party-eknath-shinde-to-sc/articleshow/92550287.cms |access-date=2022-06-30 |website=The Times of India |language=en}} The crisis began on 21 June 2022 when Shinde and several other MLAs of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition moved to Surat in the BJP-governed Gujarat, throwing the coalition into a chaos.{{Cite web |date=June 21, 2022 |first=Darpan |last=Singh |title=Maharashtra political crisis: Why MVA coalition has always looked fragile |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/news-analysis/story/maharashtra-political-crisis-maha-vikas-aghadi-coalition-1965022-2022-06-21 |access-date=2022-06-23 |website=India Today |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Karthikeyan |first=Suchitra |date=2022-06-22 |title=Maharashtra Political Crisis: MVA slides into minority; here's how the numbers stand |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/maharashtra-political-crisis-mva-slides-into-minority-heres-how-the-numbers-stand/article65548913.ece |access-date=2022-06-23 |issn=0971-751X}}{{Cite web |date=2022-06-23 |title=What's next in the Maharashtra political crisis? Decoding the future of the MVA alliance |url=https://www.firstpost.com/politics/whats-next-in-the-maharashtra-political-crisis-decoding-the-future-of-the-mva-alliance-10826921.html |access-date=2022-06-23 |website=Firstpost |language=en}} As a result of Shinde's revolt, Uddhav Thackeray resigned from the post of Chief Minister of Maharashtra and said that he will also resign from the Maharashtra Legislative Council.{{Cite web |date=2022-06-29 |title='Don't want to play these games. I resign': Uddhav Thackeray ahead of trust vote |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/uddhav-thackeray-maharashtra-cm-floor-test-101656518180649.html |access-date=2022-06-29 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=June 29, 2022 |title=You have brought down Balasaheb's son: Uddhav Thackeray resigns as Maharashtra CM |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/uddhav-thackeray-resigns-as-maharashtra-chief-minister-assembly-floor-test-1968314-2022-06-29 |access-date=2022-06-29 |website=India Today |language=en}} Shinde successfully reestablished an alliance with the BJP and was sworn in as the 20th Chief minister, with Bharatiya Janata Party's Devendra Fadnavis being sworn as the Deputy Chief Minister.{{Cite web |date=2022-06-30 |title=Maharashtra political crisis Live Updates: PM Modi congratulates Shinde, Fadnavis on becoming CM, Dy CM |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/maharashtra-political-crisis-news-live-updates-shiv-sena-eknath-shinde-supreme-court-uddhav-thackeray-7993148/ |access-date=2022-06-30 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Fadnavis's masterstroke: Rebel Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde to be next Maharashtra CM, move corners Uddhav further |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2022/jun/30/eknath-shinde-will-take-oath-as-next-maharashtra-cm-says-fadnavis-as-rebel-shiv-sena-leader-announce-2471469.html |access-date=2022-06-30 |website=The New Indian Express|date=30 June 2022 }}

After Eknath Shinde established the government, he started using the Shiv Sena name and symbols without Uddhav Thackrey's permission. This created issues as Uddhav Thackeray also claimed to be the leader of Shiv Sena. Uddhav's faction challenged this in court, which was eventually moved to the Election Commission of India. The Commission recognized Eknath Shinde's faction as the real Shiv Sena party, which ended the leadership dispute.{{Cite news |date=2023-02-17 |title=EC recognises Eknath Shinde faction as real Shiv Sena, allots it 'bow and arrow' symbol |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/ec-recognises-eknath-shinde-faction-as-real-shiv-sena-allots-it-bow-and-arrow-symbol/articleshow/98019028.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2023-02-18 |issn=0971-8257}} The Election Commission also found the changes made to the Shiv Sena party constitution in 2018, under the leadership of Uddhav Thackeray, to be undemocratic. The amendments centralized the party's control and were criticized for not allowing free, fair, and transparent elections for the party positions.{{Cite web |title=Uddhav Thackeray Loses Name, Symbol Of Shiv Sena Founded By Father |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/eknath-shinde-faction-gets-shiv-senas-bow-and-arrow-poll-symbol-3791900 |access-date=2023-02-18 |website=NDTV.com}}

On 4 February 2024, Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar ruled that Shinde's faction was the "real Shiv Sena" political party. This decision was a significant setback for the rival faction led by former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.{{cite news|title=Shinde faction is 'real Shiv Sena', declares Maharashtra Speaker|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/shiv-sena-split-verdict-speaker-nawekar-declares-shinde-faction-as-the-real-shiv-sena-political-party/article67726817.ece|access-date=2024-07-03|work=The Hindu|date=2024-02-04}}

Under Shinde's leadership, his faction of the Shiv Sena performed well in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The party secured 7 seats, demonstrating a higher success rate compared to their alliance partner, the BJP, which won 9 seats in Maharashtra.{{cite news|title=Sena vs Sena: How BJP's 'Maha Shock' will affect Eknath Shinde and Uddhav Thackery in Maharashtra|url=https://economictimes.com/news/elections/lok-sabha/maharashtra/sena-vs-sena-how-the-bjp-maha-shock-will-affect-eknath-shinde-and-uddhav-thackery-in-maharashtra-sharad-pawar-ajit-pawar-election/articleshow/110721223.cms|access-date=2024-07-03|work=The Economic Times|date=2024-06-05}} This electoral success helped consolidate Shinde's position within the state's political landscape.

On 30 June 2022, Eknath Shinde was sworn in as the 20th Chief Minister of Maharashtra, following a political crisis that led to the fall of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government.{{cite news|title=Eknath Shinde sworn in as Maharashtra chief minister, Devendra Fadnavis his deputy|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/eknath-shinde-sworn-in-as-maharashtra-chief-minister-devendra-fadnavis-his-deputy-1968406-2022-06-30|access-date=2024-07-03|work=India Today|date=2022-06-30}} His appointment came after he led a rebellion within the Shiv Sena party, aligning with the BJP to form a new government.

== Deputy Chief Ministership (2024 - present) ==

{{Empty section|date=January 2025}}

On 2 June 2000, their son Dipesh (aged 11, born 1989) and daughter Shubhada (aged 8, born 1992) went boating in a lake near their native village in Maharashtra. The boat overturned and both the children died by drowning. Shinde went into a period of depression for several months. Anand Dighe provided emotional support to Shinde and entrusted him with greater responsibility in order to keep his mind occupied and away from depression.{{Cite web|url=https://pipanews.com/eknath-shinde-when-my-two-children-were-in-an-accident-anand-dighe-saheb-raised-me-again-eknath-shinde-my-two-kids-died-in-an-accident-after-that-anand-dighe-gave-support-to-me-says-shiv-sena-lea/|title=eknath shinde: When my two children were in an accident, Anand Dighe Saheb raised me again: Eknath Shinde – my two kids died in an accident after that anand dighe gave support to me says shiv sena leader|date=7 May 2022}}

Their surviving child, Shrikant Shinde, is an orthopaedic surgeon who has also been the elected Member of Parliament to the Lok Sabha from the Kalyan constituency since 2014 (re-elected in 2019 and 2024).{{cite web|title=Congress-NCP wiped out in Mumbai; Priya Dutt, Milind Deora lose |date=16 May 2014 |url=http://www.mid-day.com/articles/congress-ncp-wiped-out-in-mumbai-priya-dutt-milind-deora-lose/15302152|accessdate=13 November 2014}}

Dharmaveer, a 2022 Indian Marathi-language biographical drama film by Pravin Tarde, covered Anand Dighe and Eknath Shinde's life.{{Cite web |date=2022-07-03 |title=Marathi flick 'Dharmaveer' puts spotlight on Eknath Shinde's rising say in Shiv Sena politics |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/marathi-flick-dharamveer-spotlight-eknath-shindes-rising-shiv-sena-politics-8005544/ |access-date=2022-07-07 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2022-06-14 |title=ZEE5 announces the release of Anand Dighe's biopic 'Dharmaveer' |url=https://www.thestatesman.com/entertainment/zee5-announces-release-anand-1503081038.html |access-date=2022-06-30 |website=The Statesman |language=en-US}} Kshitish Date played the role of Eknath Shinde.{{Cite web |date=2022-07-06 |title='The Scope on Their Work...': Kshitish Date on Playing Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde |url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/the-scope-on-their-work-kshitish-date-on-playing-maharashtra-cm-eknath-shinde-5500861.html |access-date=2022-07-07 |website=News18 |language=en}} Eknath Shinde has a starring role in Dharmaveer as one of Dighe’s most loyal foot soldiers.{{cite web |title=Eknath Shinde has a starring role in Dharmaveer |url=https://scroll.in/reel/1026821/did-a-marathi-film-released-in-may-predict-the-current-political-crisis-in-maharashtra |website=Scroll.in |date=24 June 2022 |publisher=Nandini Ramnath |access-date=2 September 2022}}

{{clear}}

In September 2024, sequel called Dharmaveer 2 was launched in which Eknath Shinde played a last scene cameo before the end of the film.

== Notes ==

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• [https://web.archive.org/web/19981202100332/http://www.shivsena.org/ Shivsena Home Page]

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Category:Maharashtra MLAs 2004–2009

Category:Maharashtra MLAs 2009–2014

Category:Maharashtra MLAs 2014–2019

Category:People from Thane

Category:People from Satara district

Category:Shiv Sena politicians

Category:State cabinet ministers of Maharashtra

Category:Living people

Category:Marathi politicians

Category:Politics of Thane district

Category:1964 births

Category:Chief ministers of Maharashtra

Category:Maharashtra MLAs 2019–2024

Category:Indian far-right politicians

Category:Leaders of the opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly