Early Life and Education
Kshitij Thakur was born on July 10, 1983, in the Virar area of Palghar district, Maharashtra, India1. He holds an MBA degree from Mumbai University and has completed an executive course in Real Estate Management from Harvard University. Additionally, he pursued further studies at Stanford University and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. from Mumbai University.
Political Career
Thakur started his political journey in 2009 by contesting from the Nallasopara constituency in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. He ran as a candidate from the Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA) party and won the election at the age of 26, securing a margin of 40,782 votes. His victory made him the youngest MLA in the state.
In the 2014 Vidhan Sabha elections, Thakur competed against Rajan Balkrishna Naik from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and secured a victory with a margin of 54,499 votes.
During the 2019 Assembly Elections, Thakur faced strong competition from Shiv Sena candidate Pradeep Sharma, a former Mumbai Police officer. The campaign drew significant attention, with both candidates making allegations against each other. Thakur ultimately won the election.
Major Achievements
One of Thakur’s significant achievements is his initiative during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recognizing the challenges faced by people working from home, he launched the “Work From My Office” scheme. This initiative provided free office space with essential amenities like Wi-Fi, electricity, and even computers if needed, allowing residents of Vasai-Virar to work in a professional environment during the pandemic. This innovative approach was well-received and highlighted his commitment to addressing the immediate needs of his constituents.
Additionally, Thakur has been instrumental in various infrastructure development projects in the Vasai-Virar region, focusing on improving public amenities, roads, and healthcare facilities.
Key Political Initiatives
Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA) MLA Kshitij Thakur met with Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) Commissioner Sanjay Mukherjee to request an increased water supply from the Surya Dam project for the Vasai-Virar region. Thakur highlighted that the area, which has seen its population double since 2011, now requires 372 million litres per day (MLD) but currently receives only 230 MLD. He emphasized the importance of the Surya Dam project in addressing the water shortage and mentioned that 185 MLD has been sanctioned for the region. (LokmatTimes)
During a meeting with Housing Minister Shri Atulji Save at the Vidhan Bhavan, it was requested that citizens of Mhada Colony in Virar Bolinj receive a discount on service charges and have these charges waived for the COVID period. The Hon’ble Minister assured that the issue would be addressed within a week.
Social Media
Personal Life
Thakur is married to Prachi Galvankar since 2012. Despite his busy political career, he is known to maintain a close relationship with his family. His personal life reflects his values of dedication and responsibility, both of which are evident in his public service.
Promises and Future Commitments
The foundation laid for a state-of-the-art multi-specialty hospital at Achole. This facility aims to enhance healthcare services in the region with its comprehensive range of specialties and advanced medical equipment.
The gas pipeline has now reached residents’ doors, demonstrating the effective work of the Bahujan Vikas Aghadi.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has sanctioned ₹600 crore for infrastructure projects in the Vasai-Virar constituency, represented by MLA Hitendra Thakur. The projects include widening the Mumbai-Ahmedabad highway, constructing a ring road, and road concretisation in five cities. Thakur, who has been actively pursuing these projects, emphasized the need due to rising population and traffic. The work is set to begin in a month, and Gadkari has invited Thakur to discuss further projects in Delhi. MLA Kshitij Thakur praised Gadkari for understanding and addressing the urgent needs of the area. (FPJ)