Eknath Shinde: From Auto-Rickshaw Driver to Chief Minister of Maharashtra – A Remarkable Political Journey.
Eknath Shinde, then the Chief Minister and currently Deputy Chief Minister of Maharastra , has had a political journey that is nothing short of remarkable. Rising from humble beginnings as an auto-rickshaw driver, he became one of the most influential figures in Maharashtra politics. His journey to the top took a sharp turn when, after voicing his opposition to the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance comprising Congress and NCP, he led a revolt within his party, Shiv Sena. This bold move resulted in a dramatic shift in Maharashtra’s political landscape.
In the aftermath of his breakaway from the MVA, Eknath Shinde forged an alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), eventually leading to the downfall of the Shiv Sena-Congress-NCP coalition. On June 30, 2022, Shinde took the oath as Maharashtra’s 20th Chief Minister. His rise to power was marked by his leadership in Shiv Sena’s internal revolt, which saw him align with the BJP to form a new government, thus ending the Shiv Sena-led MVA rule.
Once Shinde established the new government, a legal battle ensued. Shinde’s faction began using the Shiv Sena’s name and symbol, which led to a dispute with Uddhav Thackeray’s camp, who claimed leadership of the party. The matter went to the Election Commission, which ultimately recognized Shinde’s faction as the “real” Shiv Sena. This legal and political battle further solidified Shinde’s position within Maharashtra’s political ecosystem.
Before entering politics, Eknath Shinde had faced a series of personal tragedies and struggles. Born into a poor family in the village of Dare Thumb in Mahabaleshwar, he moved to Thane for better prospects. Shinde attended Mangala High School in Thane until the 11th grade before dropping out to support his family financially. During the early 1980s, Anand Dighe, the Shiv Sena leader from Thane, introduced him to politics. His rise within Shiv Sena was rapid, and by 2004, he was elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for the first time.
Key Milestones in Eknath Shinde’s Political Career: This is as per Wikipedia report.
- 2004: Elected to the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly for the first time.
- 2005: Appointed as the Thane district chief of Shiv Sena, a prestigious position in the party.
- 2009-2014: Re-elected to the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly in 2009 and 2014.
- 2014-2019: Served as the Cabinet Minister for Public Works Department (PWD) and the Guardian Minister for Thane district.
- 2018: Became the leader of Shiv Sena in Maharashtra.
- 2019: Appointed Cabinet Minister for Public Health and Family Welfare, Urban Development, and Home Affairs.
- 2022: Became Maharashtra’s Chief Minister after a successful rebellion against Uddhav Thackeray’s leadership.
Shinde’s political ascent was not without personal challenges. As a young man, he worked as an auto-rickshaw driver to support his family. His resilience in the face of adversity speaks volumes about his character. However, his life was marred by an immense personal tragedy. On June 2, 2000, Eknath Shinde lost both of his children—his 11-year-old son, Deepesh, and 8-year-old daughter, Shubhada—when a boating accident in a local lake claimed their lives. The loss plunged Shinde into deep depression, and it was Anand Dighe’s emotional support that helped him find solace and return to political life.
In addition to his political life, Shinde’s personal legacy also includes his surviving son, Srikant Shinde, who is an orthopedic surgeon and has served as a Member of Parliament (MP) from Kalyan since 2014.
The 2022 Marathi biographical film “Dharmaveer”, which chronicles the life of Anand Dighe and Eknath Shinde, further explores the struggles and triumphs of these two key figures in Maharashtra’s political landscape. Actor Kshitish Date plays the role of Eknath Shinde in the movie, showcasing his transformation from an ordinary citizen to a towering political leader.
