Kalyan: In Kalyan West assembly, two prominent Maharashtrian candidates—incumbent MLA Vishwanath Bhoir and Shiv Sena (UBT)’s Sachin Basare—are vying for votes, presenting a challenging decision for the predominantly Marathi-speaking electorate. Bhoir seeks re-election, which would break the constituency’s pattern since 2009 of selecting new representatives in every term.
The constituency, encompassing 30% of the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation area, faces developmental challenges. Its unique position within the Bhiwandi Lok Sabha seat affects its development trajectory, say residents who express concerns about disparity in resource allocation compared with Kalyan city and rural constituencies, which benefit from chief minister Eknath Shinde’s son MP Shrikant Shinde’s representation in the Kalyan Lok Sabha seat.
The historic significance of old Kalyan city, featuring Durgadi Fort and Kali Masjid, remains notable. This ancient settlement, predating Mumbai, has transformed from traditional wadas to modern high-rises, particularly in Khadakpada. Traffic congestion emerges as the primary concern for residents. The Kalyan junction station, a major transport hub connecting to north and south India, experiences severe congestion. The delayed Station Area Traffic Improvement Scheme (SATIS) project implementation contributes to these traffic issues.
Vinayak Iyer, a resident of Khadakpada in Kalyan, said there are no issues with roads, electricity, or water in the city, but the traffic situation is dire. Iyer states that when he leaves the station in the evening to return home, it takes him more than 45 minutes to cover a distance of less than 15 minutes.
Although Dr Indurani Jakhar, who joined a few months ago as the first woman commissioner of KDMC, has tried to reduce the number of hawkers in the Kalyan market area to some extent, hawkers are still seen every day, causing traffic issues in the locality.
The autorickshaw situation adds another layer to local grievances. Despite repeated complaints, basic regulatory measures such as meter-based fares remain unimplemented. As resident Santosh Sahu says, “Something as basic as getting the autos to ply on meter has not been made possible by the elected representatives.”
Both candidates have prioritised traffic management in their electoral promises. Bhoir (54) highlights ongoing infrastructure projects such as the Vadavali flyover, Patripul rail flyover, and Durgadi bridge works. Basare (53) prioritises traffic solutions and water supply improvements. He wants an independent dam for the water-starved city.
The electoral contest features additional complexity with the MNS candidate Ulhas Bhoir’s presence.
Historical voting patterns suggest potential vote division among Maharashtrian voters, adding uncertainty to the outcome. The constituency’s tradition of electing new representatives in each term since 2009 adds another dimension to the electoral dynamics.
Notably, the Bhiwani Lok Sabha seat was won by Suresh Mhatre of the NCP (SP) in the May elections. His win was made possible by the votes secured from the Muslim belts of the constituency. Political observers say that with Maha Vikas Aghadi riding on the success of the Lok Sabha win, they are looking at repeating another success in Kalyan West.
However, the newly elected MP, Suresh Mhatre, alias Balya Mama of NCP (SP), is not seen in many rallies for the Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate, disappointing party workers of the alliance partner in MVA, said political observers.
The election outcome will likely hinge on how effectively candidates can convince voters of their ability to address these interconnected challenges of infrastructure, traffic management, and basic civic amenities, say political observers.