PM Modi took to social media platform X to convey his wishes and recalled Shinde’s association with Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray and late leader Anand Dighe. Several senior leaders, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath, also greeted Shinde on his birthday
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde with PM Narendra Modi. File Pic
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi on Monday extended birthday greetings to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister (CM) Eknath Shinde, lauding his tireless efforts towards the state’s development.
PM Modi took to social media platform X to convey his wishes and recalled Shinde’s association with Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray and late leader Anand Dighe.
“Birthday wishes to Shri Eknath Shinde Ji. He is working tirelessly towards furthering Maharashtra’s development and realising the dreams of Pujya Balasaheb Thackeray and Dharamveer Anand Dighe. Praying for his long life and good health,” PM Modi posted.
Birthday wishes to Shri Eknath Shinde Ji. He is working tirelessly towards furthering Maharashtra’s development and realising the dreams of Pujya Balasaheb Thackeray and Dharamveer Anand Dighe. Praying for his long life and good health.@mieknathshinde
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 9, 2026
Several senior leaders, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath, also greeted Shinde on his birthday.
Shah in his message highlighted Shinde’s contribution to public welfare and the development of Maharashtra.
“Heartiest birthday wishes to Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra Shri Eknath Shinde. You are continuously doing commendable work towards the development of the state and public welfare. May Ganpati Bappa grant you good health and long life,” stated the Union Home Minister.
Meanwhile, the Uttar Pradesh CM, describing Shinde as a popular leader, wrote, “Happy Birthday to the popular politician, Honourable Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Eknath Shinde ji. I pray to Lord Siddhivinayak ji for your good health, long and glorious life,” he said.
Shinde was born on February 9, 1964, in Dare village of Maharashtra’s Satara district, into a Maratha family. His family later moved to Thane, on the outskirts of Mumbai, where he was brought up.
He studied up to Class 11 at Mangala High School and Junior College in Thane and reportedly left school early to support his family financially. Before entering politics, Shinde worked as an auto-rickshaw driver.
He resumed his studies in 2014 and, in 2020, completed his Bachelor of Arts degree from Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University.
Shinde’s political journey began in the early 1980s after he was introduced to politics by Anand Dighe, then Shiv Sena president in Thane. In his early years, he led several Shiv Sena agitations in the Wagle Estate area and emerged as a prominent labour leader.
In 1984, he was appointed Sakha Pramukh in Thane, a key organisational position in the party. His influence in local politics grew steadily, leading to his entry into municipal politics. In 1997, he was elected as a corporator in the Thane Municipal Corporation, and in 2001, he became the Leader of the House in the civic body.
Following Anand Dighe’s death in 2001, Shinde emerged as his political heir in Thane and gradually consolidated his base.
His rise in local politics paved the way for his entry into the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. Shinde was first elected as an MLA in 2004 and was appointed Shiv Sena’s Thane district head the following year.
He was re-elected to the assembly in 2009, 2014, and 2019.
During his legislative career, Shinde held several key ministerial portfolios. From 2014 to 2019, he served as Maharashtra's Minister for Public Works (Public Undertakings) and was also the Thane Guardian Minister. In 2018, he was appointed Leader of the Shiv Sena in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly.
In 2019, he took charge as Minister for Public Health and Family Welfare and later held additional portfolios, including Urban Development and Public Works. He also served briefly as the acting Minister of Home Affairs.
During this period, particularly during Devendra Fadnavis’ first term as chief minister, Shinde is believed to have developed closer ties with the BJP leadership.
In 2022, Shinde led a revolt within the Shiv Sena, resulting in a split in the party. He pushed for the breakup of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance and the re-alignment with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), citing ideological differences and dissatisfaction over the Congress and NCP’s treatment of the Shiv Sena.
Surat move, Sena split and consolidation of power
His views were reportedly shared by a majority within the party, and he secured the support of more than two-thirds of the Shiv Sena MLAs.
In June 2022, Shinde and several MLAs moved to Surat in Gujarat, triggering a major political crisis in Maharashtra that culminated in the resignation of then Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.
Soon thereafter, Shinde formed a government with the BJP and was sworn in as the 20th Chief Minister of Maharashtra in June 2022, with Devendra Fadnavis taking oath as Deputy Chief Minister.
Following his assumption of office, Shinde staked claim to the Shiv Sena party name and symbol, leading to a prolonged legal battle with the Uddhav Thackeray faction. Subsequently, the Election Commission of India recognised Shinde’s faction as the official Shiv Sena.
The Election Commission also criticised amendments made to the party constitution under Uddhav Thackeray in 2018, terming them undemocratic and excessively centralised.
Under Shinde’s leadership, the Shiv Sena won seven seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
In 2024, Shinde took oath as Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister in the Devendra Fadnavis-led government.
(With IANS inputs)
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
