'Nalasopara MLA Kshitij Thakur rarely spoke in House'

Kshitij Thakur, 29, who is in the eye of the storm in the Maharashtra legislature, is the son of Vasai-Virar strongman and former MLA Hitendra Thakur.

Hitendra is the president of Bahujan Vikas Aghadi, which fielded Kshitij in the 2009 Assembly elections. Kshitij won the assembly elections from the Nalasopara constituency with an impressive margin. He was pitchforked into the field as his father did not want to contest the Vasai seat and wanted to ensure a safe constituency for his son.

Kshitij’s bio-data in the legislators’ book boasts of impressive academic credentials, including a BBA and an MBA from the United States.

Last year, he was in the news when he tied the knot along with 1,062 other young couples in a mass marriage ceremony in Virar.

Political opponents do not hold any sympathy for the foreign-educated MLA and say that he carries on the legacy of his father, who was feared for his strong-arm tactics.

“He is rarely seen speaking on any subject, bill or budget in the assembly. What do you expect him to do, especially, when he has got everything on a platter? Hitendra Thakur wanted his son to have a safe seat and that is why Nalasopara was chosen and he himself did not contest after his defeat,” said an opponent.

Hitendra holds sway over large areas in Vasai-Virar and allegedly runs the tanker and construction syndicate operating in the area. The list of cases against him and his brother Jayendra alias Bhai Thakur ranges from extortion to criminal intimidation and attempt to murder, murder and land grab. Bhai Thakur is in jail over the murder of activist Navleen Kumar, who fought against the grabbing of lands of Adivasis.

While Hitendra Thakur runs a multi-crore business including resorts, malls, multiplexes and educational institutions, Kshitij declared assets of about Rs8 crore. His moveable assets according to the 2009 election affidavit is worth Rs67,78,803 and immoveable assets are worth Rs7,29,59,072.

@sanjeevdevasia