Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde Gains 20% More Votes In His Stronghold, Receives Overwhelming Support

Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde hails from the village of Dare in Satara district, though his rise to prominence is closely tied to the city of Thane. Shinde's family moved to Thane for better opportunities, where he initially worked as a rickshaw driver to support them. Despite his rural roots, Shinde maintains a strong connection to his village and often visits his farm and cattle during his free time.

Strong Bond with Thane

Eknath Shinde's deep association with Thane began when he came into contact with Anand Dighe, a firebrand Shiv Sena leader and former district chief of Thane. Under Dighe's mentorship, Shinde's political career took off. Starting as a simple Shiv Sainik, he went on to hold several positions, including branch head and party group leader. He earned a reputation as a leader for workers and laborers, particularly known for his activism against dance bars in Thane and his involvement in the Belgaum border issue, where he was imprisoned for several days.

First Assembly Victory

Shinde made his political debut by winning his first assembly election in 2004 from the Thane constituency with a margin of 1.31 lakh votes, defeating Congress candidate Manoj Shinde. Over the years, his political influence continued to grow in Thane, especially in the Kopri-Pachpakhadi area, which became his stronghold.

Growing Popularity in Kopri-Pachpakhadi

In 2009, following a constituency restructuring, Shinde contested from the newly formed Kopri-Pachpakhadi seat. Despite a strong challenge from the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), Shinde emerged victorious with 73,000 votes, securing 45% of the vote share. Over the next few years, his popularity in the region continued to rise.

Increase in Vote Share

By 2014, Shinde's vote share increased to 54%, winning 1 lakh votes despite a strong BJP presence in the state. His tenure as Minister of Public Works saw him spearheading major projects, including the Samruddhi Mahamarg, which transformed Maharashtra's infrastructure. In 2019, Shinde further strengthened his political standing by winning 1.13 lakh votes in the assembly election, securing 65% of the vote share. Over the course of three elections, Shinde's vote share has seen a 20% rise. His rebellion against Uddhav Thackeray's leadership in 2022 ultimately led him to the Chief Minister's office, where he enjoys the support of 40 Shiv Sena MLAs.

Trust from Voters Remains Strong

While many leaders who defied Thackeray faced significant backlash, Shinde has maintained strong voter confidence in Kopri-Pachpakhadi. His rallies have drawn massive crowds, and his leadership in Thane remains undisputed, as he recently completed two consecutive years as Maharashtra's Chief Minister.