The Maharashtra minister, Eknath Shinde (58), who has recently triggered the current political commotion in Maharashtra, has come a long way from being an auto driver in Thane to becoming a Key Sena leader in Thane-Palghar. The Sena leader has been elected consecutively four times in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly in 2004, 2009, 2014, and 2019. He had come to Thane as a teenager from the Javali taluka in Satara before joining the Shiv Sena.

Born on February 9, 1964, Eknath Shinde, came to Thane at an early age. After coming to Thane, he completed his 11th standard from Mangala High School & Junior College. The Mangla High School and Junior College are located in Thane, Maharashtra. 

After completing his 11 standards, Shinde had to leave his education early to support his family financially. However, Shinde resumed his education after becoming the Minister in the BJP-Shiv Sena government in 2014. He has earned his bachelor’s degree from Yashwantrao Chavan Open University, Maharashtra, via distance education.

 The Yashwantrao Chavan Open University was established  ​​on 1st July 1989 by Act XX- (1989) of the Maharashtra State Legislature. The main Headquarters of this university is situated in Nasik. The Yashwantrao Chavan Open University is the Fifth Open University in the country.

Shinde completed his Bachelors of Arts (BA) degree with distinction. He scored 77.25 percent on his graduation. His subjects were Marathi and Politics in the last year. While working in a small job in his early years, Shinde came in contact with Shivsena supremo Bal Thackeray and Shivsena’s Thane District Chief Anand Dighe. He joined Shivsena in the 1980s.