He is married to Ujwala Shinde and has three daughters.

He served as Sub-Inspector of Police CID (Intelligence), Mumbai for Six years and worked at Session Court of Solapur, 1957-65.

He has held various important posts in the state unit of Congress including that of the state congress president. He also held key portfolios in the state cabinet including planning, finance, industry and urban development ministries. He was elected as MLA from Solapur for five terms and he has been elected for the second term in the 13th Lok Sabha.

He was the congress nominated candidate for the Vice-President's election.

He has written books in English and Marathi. Vichar Ved (in Marathi) Vichar Manthan (in Hindi) were the most recognised ones.

He was a part of Indian Delegation led by the then Prime Minister of India to the UNO, New York, on the occasion of its 40th anniversary. He was also a member of the Indian Parliamentary Delegation led by the then President of India to Romania and Bulgaria. In this capacity he has travelled over 20 countries.

He is a recipient of National Citizen's Award 1993 and 1994 for his Contribution in the field of Parliamentary Procedure and putting up maximum number of Questions. As the Finance Minister of Maharashtra, he presented nine successive budgets.