Varsha Gaikwad

Varsha Eknath Gaikwad 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 represented the Dharavi Assembly Constituency in Mumbai. She served as the Cabinet Minister of Maharashtra from 30 December 2019 to 29 June 2022.
Gaikwad won the Mumbai North Central Lok Sabha constituency in the 2024 Lok Sabha election. She defeated BJP candidate Adv. Ujjwal Nikam. She is one of the three Buddhist MPs in the 18th Lok Sabha.

Positions held

2004 – 2009: Member of Maharashtra Legislative Assembly
2009 – 2014: Member of Maharashtra Legislative Assembly
*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
2014 – 2019: Member of Maharashtra Legislative Assembly
2019 – 2024: Member of Maharashtra Legislative Assembly
*Cabinet Minister for School Education Department, Government of Maharashtra
2024 – current: Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha

Personal life

Varsha Gaikwad's father is Eknath Gaikwad, who was a three term Member of parliament. She belongs to an Ambedkarite Buddhist family. She was lecturer in Siddharth College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Mumbai.