Maharashtra Chief Minister and Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena President Eknath Shinde are celebrating his 59th birthday today. On the occasion of CM's birthday, here are some lesser-known facts about Eknath Shinde.
- Born on February 9, 1964, Shinde completed his Bachelor of Arts from Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University.
- Before getting into politics, Shinde was a rickshaw driver in Thane who arrived in the city from Satara.
- He became involved with the Shiv Sena as the party grew in the state.
- Once an auto-rickshaw driver in Thane city adjoining Mumbai, Shinde quickly emerged as a key Sena leader in the Thane-Palghar region after joining politics and is known for his approach towards issues of public interest.
- Originally from Satara district in western Maharashtra, he now calls Thane district, a Sena stronghold, home.
- Growing under the shadows of Anand Dighe, he became his deputy and strengthened the party after the sudden death of the Shiv Sena stalwart in 2001.
- Shinde was elected to the Thane Municipal Corporation in 1997. He was elected to the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly in 2004 and has served four consecutive terms since then: in 2004, 2009, 2014, and 2019.
- In 2005, Shinde was appointed Thane district chief of the Shiv Sena.
- His son, Dr Shrikant Shinde, is the district's Lok Sabha MP from Kalyan.