Money power takes centre stage: Three Rs 100-crore candidates in fray; builders dominate KDMC poll race

KALYAN: Three extremely wealthy candidates have emerged as the most talked-about faces in the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) elections, highlighting the growing dominance of money power and the real estate sector in local body politics. An analysis of candidates’ affidavits shows that more than half of those contesting are crorepatis, while only a few have assets below one crore. Remarkably, three candidates have declared assets exceeding Rs 100 crore.

Leading the list is Shiv Sena candidate Ravindra Patil, contesting from Ward No. 29 in Dombivli, who has declared assets worth Rs 182.56 crore, making him the richest candidate in the KDMC election. Compared to the 2015 civic polls, where he had declared assets close to Rs 95 crore, Patil’s wealth has nearly doubled over the last decade.

The second richest candidate is Shalini Sunil Wayle, contesting from Ward No. 2 in Kalyan West from Shiv Sena ticket. She has declared total assets of Rs 140.77 crore. In the previous election, Wayle had reported assets of around Rs 105 crore, largely comprising ancestral immovable properties, indicating a substantial rise in her net worth over the years.

At the third position is Saroj Rai, wife of businessman and former BJP corporator Manoj Rai. Contesting the election on BJP ticket, Saroj Rai has declared combined family assets of Rs 122 crore, placing her among the top three wealthiest candidates in the civic contest. Manoj Rai in the 2010 election had shown his assets of Rs 76 crore.

Overall, the KDMC election has witnessed an overwhelming presence of candidates from the construction and real estate sector. Across political parties—including the Mahayuti, Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction, MNS, Congress, NCP (SP)—nearly 80 percent of the candidates have identified themselves as developers.