Infra works, traffic woes major challenges as Thane braces for a tough triangular test

For Kelkar, who ended the Shiv Sena’s hegemonic control of Thane constituency in 2014, the challenge is not only to win a historic third-term but also secure the Mahayuti’s success in the city, which is CM Eknath Shinde’s bastion.

For Vichare, who tasted defeat in the Lok Sabha elections, the upcoming poll is a battle of prestige to regain inroads to what was considered Sena’s original fortress.

Also challenging the incumbent’s bid to retain power is MNS’ Thane district president, Avinash Jadhav, whose victory could solidify his party’s stakes in the state political landscape. In the 2019 assembly elections, Jadhav, who despite being a relative greenhorn then, got over 70,000 votes, losing to sitting MLA Kelkar by 20,000 votes.

Home to over 3.78 lakh voters, Thane constituency stretches from Thane railway station extending up to the Eastern express Highway in the east and Majiwada in the west upto Waghbil towards the Ghodbundar. The other sections of the city fall under Kopri-Pachpakhadi and Ovala Majiwada assembly constituencies. While traditionally Thane’s older areas have been predominantly Maharashtrian, the recent years have witnessed significant demographic shifts. Data also shows that of the total votes, Muslims account for 8 per cent — with most residents in pockets like Rabodi.

With three Maharashtrian candidates vying for victory, political observers said that Maharashtrian as well as Hindu votes are likely to be split in what will pave the way for a close fight.

“Thane is likely to witness a very tough fight as each candidate has their own clout in the area but it can’t be ignored that it is Shinde’s bastion. Now, Shiv Sena loyalists will also have to make a significant choice between Mahayuti and Sena UBT and the Marathi votes will also be divided between the three parties,” political analyst Surendra Jondhale told The Indian Express.

Meanwhile, the meteoric population boom has spelled concerns for the urban constituency’s existing resources. Residents of Thane echoed that traffic congestion and lack of adequate infrastructure, including footpaths and roads have emerged as the biggest concerns in the region over the past years.

In the wake of the increasing dependency on tankers in the high rises, water scarcity and the need for new dams have also come to the fore.

Banking on recently announced projects such as Rs 12,000-crore internal ring road Metro project, BJP’s Kelkar told The Indian Express that he is keen on enhancing public transport to ease the existing traffic congestion in the city.

Kelkar said, “Our aim is to work on the all-round development of Thane that includes improvement of health, education, etc. We are also emphasising on public transport to ease congestion such as the recently announced ring-road Metro in Thane. We also have the approval for a second railway station, which will relieve the burden on the existing station.”

“For water woes, we have plans to develop small dams, which had been stuck over decades owing to some local agitations,” he said, adding that the double-engine sarkar will ensure fast pace of works.

Meanwhile, Vichare has been highlighting the lack of work executed by the incumbent candidate. “Many say it is a triple fight, but the development done by the local MLA in the past 15 years is nowhere to be seen. I have been representing Thane for 35 to 40 years. First as mayor, then as MLA, then twice as MP. Thane city is growing rapidly and therefore, my agenda is to undertake new projects for the growing population,” said Vichare.

Development at Thane railway station, Metro, Thane-Borivali tunnel, improvement of traffic-riddled junctions as well as focus on water dams, green spaces — are among the projects enlisted in Vichare’s manifesto.

MNS’s Jadhav, who is extensively campaigning in the area, has also drawn light on the delayed civic works, despite the government being in power in the state and the Centre. “For me, there is a big difference between 2019 and 2024 as during 2019, I only had 21 days to prepare for elections. Yet I managed to get over 70,000 votes. While some parties helped me, I also got these votes as I happened to work for people. No matter what they say about the tough fight in Thane, I will get at least 97,000 votes this time,” Jadhav said a a public gathering.

Know your seat

Constituency name: Thane
Candidates:
Sanjay Kelkar (BJP — Mahayuti)
Rajan Vichare (Sena UBT – MVA)
Avinash Jadhav (MNS)

Population (No. of voters): 3,78,342
Men: 1,94,958
Women: 1,83,242
Muslim voters (in 2019) 8%, SC voters 4.91%, and ST voters 2.12%
Voter turnout figures in 2019 Assembly elections: 52.92%
Winner in 2019 and margin: BJP’s Sanjay Kelkar defeated MNS’ Avinash Jadhav by 15,526 votes.
Party that led the Assembly constituency in 2024 Lok Sabha elections: Shiv Sena (Mahayuti) by 48,062 votes.