Corruption claims could end Kolambkar's 8-term record

Veteran leader aims to secure a ninth term, but critics question his record of ‘selective development and unfulfilled promises’

- Ruoha Kanolkar

Wadala constituency, No 180 in the Mumbai City district, has long been under the stewardship of Kalidas Nilkanth Kolambkar, a seasoned politician affiliated with the BJP. Kolambkar, who has served as MLA for eight consecutive terms, faces the challenge of securing a ninth in the upcoming election. The Wadala constituency was established in 2009. Ever since, Kolambkar has held the seat.

Born in Malvan, Sindhudurg, Kolambkar, now 71 years old, has had a long career. With an education that culminated in an SSC and a professional background as a social worker, he has been a prominent figure in Maharashtra's political landscape. His journey started as a Shiv Sena ward president in 1977. His early career also saw him serve as a municipal councillor in the BMC from 1985 to 1990.

Kolambkar's résumé includes roles such as minister of state for food and civil supplies (February to May 1999) and minister of state for urban development (May to October 1999).

However, as time has passed, Kolambkar's performance has come under scrutiny. The Praja Foundation, which assesses the effectiveness of Mumbai's elected representatives, placed him at No 22 in its recent report. This marked a slight drop from his 2023 rank of 20. While his overall score improved from 41.33% in 2023 to 46.91% in 2024, his performance on specific parameters raised questions.