The Kalyan Lok Sabha seat in Maharashtra, previously a stronghold for Shrikant Shinde of the Shiv Sena, faces heightened uncertainty and competition in the upcoming elections. Shinde’s father, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, now leads a faction of the Shiv Sena following a bitter split within the party, adding complexity to the electoral dynamics.
Shrikant Shinde’s political career began in 2014, and he secured successive victories in the last two Lok Sabha elections with significant margins. However, the political landscape has evolved dramatically since then, with Eknath Shinde’s departure from the Shiv Sena to join forces with the BJP, leading to speculation about Shrikant Shinde’s candidacy this time.
The BJP’s interest in contesting more seats in Maharashtra raised doubts about Shinde’s candidacy, particularly with state minister Ravindra Chavan expressing eagerness to contest from Kalyan. Despite BJP’s claim over the seat, Eknath Shinde remained steadfast in retaining it for the Shiv Sena.
The rival faction of the Shiv Sena, led by Uddhav Thackeray, fielded Vaishali Darekar-Rane against Shrikant Shinde, intensifying the electoral battle. The constituency’s diverse demography and pressing issues like infrastructure deficiencies and water scarcity add complexity to the electoral landscape.
Residents express mixed opinions regarding Shinde’s performance, with some acknowledging developmental progress while others highlight persistent challenges. The constituency’s diverse demographics, including Maharashtrians, South Indians, Sindhis, and Gujaratis, further complicate the electoral calculus.
The rising cost of living, inadequate infrastructure, and concerns about the current government’s conduct at the Centre emerge as significant issues, according to Darekar-Rane. Shrikant Shinde acknowledges these challenges and claims to have pursued various development projects to address them.
Amidst tensions between alliance partners and local rivalries, the outcome of the elections in the Kalyan Lok Sabha constituency remains uncertain. As the political landscape continues to evolve, the stakes are high for all parties involved in securing electoral victory and addressing the pressing concerns of the electorate.
