| Jitendra Awhad is an Indian politician from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). |
| He has served as the MLA of Mumbra-Kalwa (Thane) thrice and held ministerial positions in various Maharashtra cabinets. |
| In July 2023, he became the Leader of the Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. |
| During his youth, Awhad was actively involved in sports before transitioning to politics. |
| He began his political career in college by engaging in student politics and holding leadership roles. |
| In 1982, he spearheaded a campaign against increasing tuition fees at Mumbai University. |
| Awhad joined the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) after serving as the president of the Akhil Bhartiya Vanjara Youth Association. |
| By 1991, he had risen to the position of General Secretary of the NSUI at the national level. |
| From 1988 to 1995, he also worked as an assistant labour officer at Kores India Limited in Thane. |
| Transitioning to Maharashtra politics, he became the president of the Maharashtra Pradesh Youth Congress in 1996. |
| A staunch supporter of NCP leader Sharad Pawar, Awhad criticized Pawar's resignation from the party post and subsequently resigned as National General Secretary. |
| He organizes Dahi Handi competitions annually through his NGO Sangharsh on Krishna Janmashtami. |
| Known for his love for animals, Awhad is particularly fond of dogs. |
| Having ties with Bollywood figures like Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan, he even involved Amitabh Bachchan to promote Maharashtra's horticulture practices during his tenure as the Horticulture Minister. |
| Awhad's daughter, Natasha Awhad, wed Allan Patel, a Christian friend from her school days, in a simple ceremony at their home on 7th December 2021. |
| To maintain his fitness, he regularly attends the gym and engages in workouts. |
