Constituency watch: In Kalyan East, Sena (UBT) picks on BJP’s ‘double standards’ for giving ticket to jailed MLA Ganpat Gaikwad’s wife

On the other hand, Shiv Sena (UBT) has fielded Dhananjay Bodare, 60, who was the first runner-up in the last Assembly election against Gaikwad in 2019. Sena (UBT) is optimistic about winning the constituency, expecting that votes from Eknath Shinde’s rebel group will hurt Sulbha Gaikwad.

The Sena (UBT) candidate criticises the BJP for its alleged double standards. “The BJP opposes Nawab Malik due to his alleged criminal background, but, in double standards, gives the ticket to the wife of a jailed MLA facing attempted murder charges,” said Bodare.

Mahesh Gaikwad, Gaikwad’s staunch rival in the area, also made allegations about unfairness in the ticket allotment, especially after Ganpat had opened fire at him in a police station in Ulhasnagar earlier this year.

Mahesh, a former municipal corporator from the Kalyan-Dombivali Municipal Corporation, was supported by 19 former corporators as they were all opposed to Sulbha’s candidature. Mahesh and other leaders from the Kalyan Shiv Sena group had urged their party top leadership to give ticket to any candidate but not to Ganpat Gaikwad or his family members.

Mahesh, a former Shinde Sena party activist believed to be close to MP Shrikant Shinde, said, “PM Modi and Devendra Fadnavis have always opposed crime, but they gifted ticket to the family of a criminal who is in jail.”

Ganpat Gaikwad, who is in Taloja jail, was elected as MLA from this constituency in 2014 and 2009 as an Independent candidate. Posters in the area by Mahesh Gaikwad, say, “The Kalyan (East) constituency has not seen development for the past 15 years. If people support me, we will create new history.”

The BJP, however, seems unbothered by these allegations. Sulbha said, “I am confident of winning the election based on the good works my husband has done in the past three terms in the area. People in the region will support me in taking my husband’s work further. Once voters elect me, I shall work on some of the important local issues, including the water problem.”

Sulbha was seen leading large rallies with a significant number of women activists holding placards featuring PM Narendra Modi and Deputy Chief Minister Fadnavis, highlighting the government’s various schemes as accomplishments, particularly the Ladki Bahin Yojna.

Ganpat Gaikwad, who also controls the local cable business, was known for helping locals during the Covid-19 pandemic. He was seen supporting local residents during the demolition of encroachments in the area without prior notice.

BJP candidate Sulbha received support in the region from Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Shrikant Shinde’s supporters. During a party meeting, Shrikant Shinde instructed all party workers and corporators to respect the alliance and work alongside the BJP candidate. The Shinde Sena suspended ten members, including Mahesh Gaikwad, for opposing the party’s decision to support the BJP candidate. After expulsion from the party, Mahesh lost the support of local Shinde Sena corporators and party workers.

Vishal Pawshe, who is among the 10 expelled workers from Shinde Sena, is contesting the election as a Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) candidate. Pawshe was seen campaigning in the area with slogans such as, “No crime, no goondaism, want only development”.

Local influential Sena (UBT) leader Sushma Andhale held a rally to garner support for the party. However, there is some internal friction within the Sena (UBT) in Kalyan (East). A group of activists is unhappy with the selection of Bodare, who joined the party just a few months ago and contested the last Assembly election as an independent candidate.

A party worker from the region stated that Bal Thackeray’s Shiv Sena traditionally prioritised local party workers over outsiders. Bodare is perceived as more of an Ulhasnagar resident rather than someone from Kalyan. Approximately 20 per cent of the Kalyan East constituency is located in Ulhasnagar, and Bodare has a strong presence in the area, having previously served as a corporator there, according to a police officer, who is also a local resident.

Demographics of Kalyan East constituency

The Kalyan East constituency has a majority population from the Maratha community, followed by the Agri community, Dalit communities, north Indians, Muslims, and south Indians.

The constituency contains a significant number of slum areas. The Marathi and North Indian populations are predominant in the densely populated residential areas. In recent years, major construction projects have been underway in the region, contributing to air pollution problems.

Among the top four candidates in the constituency, Sulbha, Mahesh, and Vishal Pavashe are all from the Agri community. A local political observer notes that this could lead to a split in votes from this community.

Water supply is a key local issue in Kalyan East

The Kalyan (East) constituency is facing several serious issues that directly impact the lives of local residents, contributing to anti-incumbency against the Gaikwad family.

Key concerns include an inadequate water supply, narrow roads, a rising crime rate, drug-related problems, a poor drainage system, cleanliness issues, ineffective waste management, an increase in slum areas, and a lack of primary health centres, hospitals, public schools, and open spaces. Additionally, local public infrastructure has not been upgraded to keep pace with the growing population.

Local resident Trupti Shridhar, 25, from the Pavshe Nagar area, said, “The major traffic jam problem on the road between Vithalwadi station to Waldhuni bridge due to narrow roads is well known to everyone. People cannot even walk past properly due to narrow roads. But, no one from any political party or anyone from the administration is doing anything.”

Shridhar added, “Chinchpada area is one of the most neglected areas in the constituency, which sees no regular water supply. People won’t get water for drinking, but one can see water going to waste on roads due to pipeline leaks. Arrogant rickshaw drivers are also a problem. There are no public washrooms available for women.” She also pointed out encroachment issues in the region, including the Kolsewadi and Vitthalwadi areas.

Another local, Ansari Mustakeen, 46, who has lived in the Shriram Talkies area for the past 25 years and works in a private firm, said, “Cleanliness is a major issue. You will easily find garbage on roads. Local corporation workers are not bothered about cleanliness and public health.”

Sunil Madhukar Jadhav, 53, a resident of the Sai Baba colony area in Ulhasnagar, said, “Ramnagar and Amol Nagar are areas that do not even have proper roads and street lights. Forget about other developments. The Ashela Pada area and other slum-dominated areas are such that a fire brigade emergency vehicle cannot enter the area in case of an eventuality. The local leadership should change so that some development will happen for the direct benefit of the people,” Jadhav said.

Speaking on Ladki Bahin Yojna, Jadhav said, “Giving Rs 1,500 to a family will not help as a cooking gas cylinder costs Rs 1,200. Instead, the government should seriously work on creating employment so that a family’s youth gets a job. Even if a youth earns Rs 10,000 per month, it will help the main earning member run the family.”

A local shopkeeper in the area stated that the migrant population has increased, leading to the growth of small commercial and industrial businesses in the densely populated slums.

Independent candidate Mahesh Gaikwad said, “The pace with which the population has increased in the area has not allowed the administrative system to expand in the same proportion. Unlike three police stations in Kalyan (West), the area has just one police station for a population of 3.5 lakh.”

He said there is a strong connection between the builder lobby and those in power, leading to the usurpation of blocks. Illegal constructions are rampant in the area. Additionally, Mahesh claimed that no grounds, gardens, or community halls are available.

Sena (UBT) candidate Bodare claimed the area had become a den for criminals, with the crime rate rising due to political support.

“Despite an MLA serving three consecutive terms, the area continues to face significant issues, including a lack of basic amenities and registration problems affecting 27 villages, such as Chinchpada, Manere, and Nandivli. The primary health centres are non-functional, leading to widespread frustration among the residents. As a result, there is a strong sense of anti-incumbency, and people are likely to express their anger,” said Bodare.

Constituency name: 142-Kalyan East

Candidates:

Sulbha Gaikwad (BJP/Mahayuti)

Dhananjay Bodare (Shive Sena (UBT)/MVA)

Vishal Pawshe (VBA)

Mahesh Gaikwad (Independent-Shinde Sena rebel)

Voters (registered till 10/10/2024)

Total: 3,24,659

Male: 1,70,188

Female: 1,54,065

Others: 406

Defence voters: 132

NRI: 15

Specially abled: 1,396

85+ voters: 2,030

Voter turnout in 2019 polls: 44.10 per cent

2019 result: BJP’s Ganpat Gaikwad got 60,332 votes and won by a margin of 12,257 votes.

Party that led the Assembly constituency in Lok Sabha elections 2024: Shiv Sena (UBT)