Who is Eknath Shinde, Shiv Sena leader at the centre of present MVA crisis?

Eknath Shinde, at the centre of the latest crisis in the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi in Maharashtra, is a senior leader of the Shiv Sena and the state urban affairs minister.

Shinde enjoys popular ground support and is credited with strengthening the party in some areas. He reportedly has been miffed with the party leadership in recent times.

Shinde, who represents the Kopri-Pachpakhadi constituency of Thane, was elected to the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly for the first time in 2004, and was since re-elected in 2009, 2014 and 2019.


Shinde is reportedly holed up in a hotel in Surat along with 18 MLAs of the ruling alliance and is expected to meet the media on Tuesday afternoon.




Reports quoting sources said the entire room booking at the Le Meredian was done from Mumbai, and that the Gujarat BJP leaders were informed late night. After the arrival of all MLAs in the hotel, Surat Police were instructed to provide protection at the hotel.

The Shiv Sena was reportedly trying to bring him back in the morning . On the other hand the BJP is, according to sources, offering him the post of deputy chief minister. "I know Eknath Shinde Ji, he is a true Shiv Sainik. He will return without any conditions," Sena leader Sanjay Raut told the media.