Eknath Shinde, rebel Shiv Sena leader took oath as the new chief minister of Maharashtra on Thursday, while BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis was sworn in as the deputy CM of the state. This came after Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray stepped down as CM of Maharashtra following lack of majority in the legislature. Eknath Shinde whose revolt shook the Maha Vikas Aghadi government in Maharashtra allied with the BJP to form the government in the state on the lines of 'Bala Saheb Thackeray's Hindutva.' The new CM of Maharashtra has witnessed an incredible journey from once being an auto driver to now chief minister.
He was born in a poor family which forced him to earn a living by driving an auto-rickshaw and working in a factory in order to support his family.
Shinde later moved to Thane, where he started his political journey. In 1980, after being influenced by Bal Thackeray’s speeches and thoughts, he joined the Shiv Sena.
With the help of his political mentor Anand Dighe, Shinde made his mark in the party and was gradually elected to the Thane Municipal Corporation in 1997.
In 2001, following Anand Chintamani Dighe's death, Shinde played a pivotal role in strengthening the party in the Thane region.
He participated in many protests, such as the Maharashtra-Karnataka agitation over the status of Belagavi, for which he was imprisoned.
In 2004, Shinde was elected as a member of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, and since then he has been a successful legislator who won 4 consecutive terms- 2004, 2009, 2014 and 2019, from Kopri-Pachpakhadi constituency, Thane.
In 2019, he was appointed as the cabinet minister for Urban Development and Public Works (Public Undertakings).
Eknath Shinde, 58, a former rickshaw driver is now serving as the 20th chief minister of Maharashtra.
