Eknath Shinde

Eknath Shinde (pronunciation: [eknaːt̪ʰ ʃin̪d̪e]; born 9 February 1964) is an Indian politician who is serving as the 20th and Current Chief Minister of Maharashtra since 30 June 2022. He is also serving as the Leader of Shiv Sena since February 2023 and the Leader of the House, Maharashtra Legislative Assembly since July 2022. He is also the Member of Legislative Assembly for the Kopri-Pachpakhadi constituency of Thane, Maharashtra since 2009 and was formerly the MLA of Thane constituency from 2004 to 2009. Early life Shinde hails from the Dare Village, Jawali taluka in Satara, Maharashtra, and belongs to the Maratha community. His family moved to Thane (in the Mumbai outskirts). He studied until 11th standard at Mangala High School & Junior College, Thane. Shinde left school to support his family, however, he resumed his education in 2014 after joining the government ministry. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University in 2020. Shinde was awarded D.Litt. (Doctor of Literature) by D Y Patil University at the convocation of the university in Navi Mumbai on 28 March 2023, at the hands of Maharashtra governor Ramesh Bais and University chancellor Dr Vijay Patil. Shinde used to drive an autorickshaw to support his family before entering politics.