The upcoming elections for the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) have put a stark spotlight on the immense financial clout of candidates, with three individuals declaring personal wealth exceeding a staggering Rs 100 crore. An analysis of sworn affidavits reveals a landscape dominated by crorepatis, pointing to the growing influence of money power, particularly from the construction and real estate sectors, in local body politics.
The Top Three Wealthiest Contenders
Leading the pack is Shiv Sena candidate Ravindra Patil, who is contesting from Ward No. 29 in Dombivli. Patil has declared assets worth a monumental Rs 182.56 crore, securing his position as the richest candidate in the fray. His wealth has seen a dramatic near-doubling over the past decade, having declared assets close to Rs 95 crore in the 2015 civic polls.
In second place is Shalini Sunil Wayle, also from the Shiv Sena, contesting from Ward No. 2 in Kalyan West. Her affidavit shows total assets valued at Rs 140.77 crore. This marks a significant rise from her declared wealth of around Rs 105 crore in the previous election, which she attributed largely to ancestral immovable properties.
The third position is held by Saroj Rai, the wife of businessman and former BJP corporator Manoj Rai. Contesting on a BJP ticket, Saroj Rai has declared combined family assets of Rs 122 crore. This places her firmly among the top three wealthiest candidates. Notably, her husband Manoj Rai had shown assets of Rs 76 crore in the 2010 election.
A Sea of Crorepatis and Real Estate Dominance
The financial profile of the candidate pool is overwhelmingly affluent. The analysis indicates that more than half of all contestants are crorepatis, with only a handful declaring assets below the one crore rupee mark. This trend underscores a significant barrier to entry for candidates without substantial personal wealth.
Furthermore, the election has witnessed an overwhelming presence of individuals connected to the construction and real estate business. Across the political spectrum—encompassing the ruling Mahayuti alliance, the Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction, MNS, Congress, and NCP (SP)—nearly 80 percent of candidates have identified themselves as developers or are linked to the sector. This deep intertwining of real estate interests with civic governance raises important questions about policy priorities and urban planning.
Implications for Local Democracy
The concentration of such high wealth among candidates, particularly from a single industry sector, highlights a critical shift in the nature of local elections. The KDMC polls are increasingly becoming a contest dominated by financial muscle, potentially sidelining issues of grassroots governance and public service. The massive increase in declared assets of top candidates over successive elections also points to the lucrative nature of civic politics and the positions of power within the municipal corporation.
As Kalyan and Dombivli head to the polls, the affidavits present a clear picture: the battle for the civic body is not just between political ideologies but is also a reflection of the substantial economic interests at stake, primarily driven by the booming real estate market in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
