Varsha Eknath Gaikwad (born 3 February 1975) is an Indian politician serving as a member of parliament, Lok Sabha. She is the President of the Mumbai Regional Congress Committee. Earlier, she was a four term Member of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly (MLA) represented the Dharavi Assembly Constituency in Mumbai (2004-2024).[1][2][3][4] She served as the Cabinet Minister of Maharashtra from 30 December 2019 to 29 June 2022.
Varsha Eknath Gaikwad | |
---|---|
![]() Varsha Gaikwad (L) and Krishna Tirath (R) in New Delhi | |
Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha | |
Assumed office 24 June 2024 | |
Preceded by | Poonam Mahajan |
Constituency | Mumbai North Central |
President of Mumbai Regional Congress Committee | |
Assumed office 9 June 2023 | |
National President Indian National Congress | Mallikarjun Kharge |
Preceded by | Bhai Jagtap |
Minister of School Education Department of Maharashtra | |
In office 30 December 2019 – 29 June 2022 | |
Minister | |
Governor | Bhagat Singh Koshyari |
Chief Minister | Uddhav Thackeray |
Deputy CM | Ajit Pawar |
Preceded by | Ashish Shelar |
Member of Maharashtra Legislative Assembly | |
In office 2004 – 18 June 2024 | |
Preceded by | Eknath Gaikwad |
Constituency | Dharavi |
Cabinet Minister for Women and Child Development, Maharashtra | |
In office 2010–2014 | |
State Minister for Medical Education, Higher and Technical Education, Tourism, Special Assistance, Maharashtra | |
In office 11 November 2009 – 26 September 2010 | |
Personal details | |
Born | 3 February 1975 (49) Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
Political party | Indian National Congress |
Parent |
|
Education | M.Sc (Maths), B.Ed |
Occupation | Politician |
Profession | Professor |
Gaikwad won the Mumbai North Central Lok Sabha constituency in the 2024 Lok Sabha election. She defeated BJP candidate Adv. Ujjwal Nikam.[5]
Positions held
edit- 2004 – 2009: Member of Maharashtra Legislative Assembly (1st term)
- 2009 – 2014: Member of Maharashtra Legislative Assembly (2nd term)
- 2009 - 2010: State Minister for Medical Education, Higher and Technical Education, Tourism, Special Assistance
- 2010 – 2014: Cabinet Minister for Women and Child Development, Government of Maharashtra[6][7]
- 2014 – 2019: Member of Maharashtra Legislative Assembly (3rd term)
- 2019 – 2024: Member of Maharashtra Legislative Assembly (4th term)[8]
- Cabinet Minister for School Education Department, Government of Maharashtra
- 2024 – current : Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha
Personal life
editVarsha Gaikwad's father is Eknath Gaikwad, who was a three term Member of parliament. She belongs to an Ambedkarite Buddhist family.[9][10][11][12] She was lecturer in Siddharth College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Mumbai.[citation needed]
References
edit- ^ https://marathi.abplive.com/news/politics/3rd-congress-mla-resigns-varsha-gaikwad-meets-president-rahul-narvekar-three-more-will-resigne-soon-1291552/amp
- ^ "Dharavi Maharashtra Assembly Constituency Elections". Retrieved 15 April 2016.
- ^ "Gaikwad Varsha Eknath of INC WINS the Dharavi constituency Maharastra Assembly Election 2014". newsreporter.in. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
- ^ "Varsha Gaikwad tipped to be Mumbai Congress women's wing chief". mid-day.com. 30 March 2016. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
- ^ https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/maharashtra-lok-sabha-elections-2024-congress-nominates-varsha-gaikwad-for-north-central-mumbai-seat-amid-controversy
- ^ "Minister for Women and Child Development". indianexpress.com. 23 September 2013. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
- ^ "minister for women and child welfare Varsha Gaikwad said Sunday. The minister said the owner of the pizza outlet must be prosecuted for employing a minor and letting him drive a motorcycle without a driving licence". indianexpress.com. July 2013. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
- ^ https://marathi.abplive.com/news/politics/3rd-congress-mla-resigns-varsha-gaikwad-meets-president-rahul-narvekar-three-more-will-resigne-soon-1291552/amp
- ^ https://divyamarathi.bhaskar.com/news/23-ministers-belong-to-the-maratha-community-in-thackeray-government-126408482.html
- ^ "39-year-old Varsha Gaikwad, the Congress candidate here". indianexpress.com. 7 October 2014. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
- ^ "जानिए- कौन हैं उद्धव कैबिनेट में शामिल हुईं तीन ताकतवर महिलाएं". 31 December 2019.
- ^ https://divyamarathi.bhaskar.com/news/maha-cabinet-expansion-first-cabinet-expansion-of-maha-government-led-by-cm-uddhav-thackeray-126407251.html