Areas: Ambarnath, Ulhasnagar, Kalyan (east), Kalyan rural, Dombivli and Mumbra-Kalwa
History: Kalyan, which was part of the Thane constituency earlier, is now a separate constituency after delimitation. Certain parts were separated to make the Kalyan constituency.
Biggies: At present Shiv Sena's Anand Paranjpe, son of late Sena MP Prakash Paranjpe, represents the constituency. Nationalist Congress Party's Vasant Davkhare, MLC and deputy chairman of the state legislative council, is vying for a party ticket from this constituency, but the Congress-NCP have yet to decide on the seat-sharing formula. Davkhare has already begun his campaign by releasing advertisements and by distributing pamphlets at every house. MLA Pappu Kalani holds considerable sway in the Ulhasnagar belt and could spell trouble for Davkhare, as they do not enjoy cordial relations. Kalani, a Sharad Pawar acolyte, managed to win the assembly elections from Ulhasnagar even when he was jailed under TADA during the tenure of chief minister Sudhakarrao Naik, a Pawar-baiter. The Republican Party of India also has a substantial voter base in Ulhasnagar and Ambarnath. The seat has become a contentious issue for the Saffron alliance. While the BJP has a strong presence, the Sena wants to retain the seat with hopefuls like Pundalik Mhatre, former Mayor of Kalyan, and senior corporator Sadanand Tharwal. Segments like Kalyan east and Ulhasnagar are dominated by the North Indians. While, Mumbra and Kalwa are strong Muslim pockets. Dombivli has a Marathi majority. The constituency has five MLA and MLCs.
Size of voter base: 15.81 lakh
Who: North Indians, Maharashtrians and Muslims dominate this constituency. Gujaratis and Dalits also have a sizeable presence
Strengths: On the face of it, the BJP seems to have an upper hand as the Saffron alliance holds considerable sway in the constituency
Tea-leaf reading: It may be advantage Saffron alliance
Biggies: At present Shiv Sena's Anand Paranjpe, son of late Sena MP Prakash Paranjpe, represents the constituency. Nationalist Congress Party's Vasant Davkhare, MLC and deputy chairman of the state legislative council, is vying for a party ticket from this constituency, but the Congress-NCP have yet to decide on the seat-sharing formula. Davkhare has already begun his campaign by releasing advertisements and by distributing pamphlets at every house. MLA Pappu Kalani holds considerable sway in the Ulhasnagar belt and could spell trouble for Davkhare, as they do not enjoy cordial relations. Kalani, a Sharad Pawar acolyte, managed to win the assembly elections from Ulhasnagar even when he was jailed under TADA during the tenure of chief minister Sudhakarrao Naik, a Pawar-baiter. The Republican Party of India also has a substantial voter base in Ulhasnagar and Ambarnath. The seat has become a contentious issue for the Saffron alliance. While the BJP has a strong presence, the Sena wants to retain the seat with hopefuls like Pundalik Mhatre, former Mayor of Kalyan, and senior corporator Sadanand Tharwal. Segments like Kalyan east and Ulhasnagar are dominated by the North Indians. While, Mumbra and Kalwa are strong Muslim pockets. Dombivli has a Marathi majority. The constituency has five MLA and MLCs.