Hon. Deputy Chief Minister & Minister, UDD

Shri. Eknath Sambhaji Shinde is currently serving as the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra. He is best known for his organisation skills, spot decisions and loyalty. He has been elected consecutively for 4 terms in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly for 2004, 2009, 2014 and 2019.

He is influenced by Shiv Sena supremo Balasaheb Thackeray and Shiv Sena’s Thane-belt strongman Anand Dighe. Shinde was loyal to Dighe who used to sport a long beard and saffron tilak. He was known for his simplicity, loyalty and honesty and was a grassroots man who was available all the time. Shinde has imbibed the same from his late guru and followed him devotionally.

In 2001, Eknath Shinde got elected as a Leader of the house in TMC. He continued to occupy the post till 2004. As a leader of the house in TMC, he didn’t restrict himself to the issues related to the TMC or the city, but took active interest in the overall development and well-being of the whole Thane district.

He is also a three-term MLA from the Kopri-Pachpakhadi constituency of the Thane district. His son, Dr Shrikant Shinde, is a two-term MP from the Kalyan seat of the district. He is considered a leader with grassroots touch as he is always available to hear the grievances of party workers and colleagues. He is known to start his day early in the morning and continue his visits to party workers till late night.