Eknath Gaikwad (1 January 1940 – 28 April 2021) was an Indian politician from the Indian National Congress (INC) political party.
[1] Gaikwad belonged to an Ambedkarite Buddhist family.
[2][3] Gaikwad's daughter is Varsha Gaikwad, who is a four term Member of Maharashtra Legislative Assembly and a ex-Cabinet Minister of Maharashtra.
He has been three times a Member of Legislative Assembly from Dharavi and also twice state minister of Maharashtra state cabinet.
Since 1985, he has represented Dharavi which is Asia's largest slum.