The stir in Maharashtra politics has intensified. The government of Mahavikas Aghadi is said to be in danger. Eknath Shinde, said to be the right-hand man of the Thackeray family, is out of touch with around 25 Shiv Sena MLAs. It is being told that he is staying with the MLAs in a hotel in Surat.
Rickshaw puller-turned-politician: Eknath Shinde’s family is originally from Satara district and had moved to Thane adjoining Mumbai in the 70s. Shinde was only 10 years old at that time. Shinde used to drive auto rickshaws before joining Shiv Sena in the 80s. Apart from this, he has also worked in a liquor factory to run the house. His interest in politics led Shinde to become close to the then Thane District Army President Anand Dighe, the latter playing a key role in making the Shiv Sena a major force.
Eknath Shinde is considered a true soldier of Shiv Sena: Dighe, seeing the activism and dedication of Eknath Shinde, made him the leader of the house in Thane Municipality. In 2004, he became an MLA for the first time by winning the Kopri-Pachpakhadi seat and has been winning elections for four consecutive terms. Eknath Shinde has always been counted as a true soldier of Shiv Sena. Shinde was one of the agitating, militant style and deeply loyal to the Shiv Sena. Eknath Shinde became stronger after the death of Bal Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray took over the reins of the party.
Was also involved in Chief Minister’s race: Shinde’s political influence outside Shiv Sena was visible when Uddhav Thackeray made him the Leader of the Opposition in the Maharashtra Assembly after parting ways with the BJP. There was a lot of talk of Shinde’s displeasure when Shiv Sena formed the government with Congress and NCP in 2019, giving a setback to the BJP. At present, Eknath Shinde is a cabinet minister and is counted among Uddhav’s close associates.
There was a time in 2019 when Eknath Shinde was considered to be at the forefront of the chief minister’s race, but breaking the tradition of Shiv Sena, Uddhav Thackeray ascended the throne for the first time from the Thackeray family, and included Aditya Thackeray in the cabinet. .
Shinde is the owner of crores, one and a half dozen cases are registered: According to the affidavit given to the Election Commission during the 2019 elections, there are 18 cases registered against Eknath Shinde. However, they have not been found guilty in any of the cases so far. Eknath Shinde has movable assets of about two crores and immovable assets of 9 crores. Shinde also has a revolver and a pistol.
Eknath Shinde has studied till 11th standard, but Shinde has taught his son. Eknath Shinde’s son Shrikant Shinde is an orthopedic doctor. Not only this, Srikanth has also won the Lok Sabha elections.