Varsha Eknath Gaikwad

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). 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.

Gaikwad was one of the key protestors during the 2026 Budget Session proceedings of the Lok Sabha, where Opposition members entered the vale of the House and displayed placards and surrounded the front benches, including the Prime Minister’s seat, resulting in a adjournment.

Positions held 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 2014 – 2019: Member of Maharashtra Legislative Assembly (3rd term) 2019 – 2024: Member of Maharashtra Legislative Assembly (4th term) 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.