Early Life and Education
Dr. Balaji Pralhad Kinikar was born on February 25, 1972, in Latur, Maharashtra. He pursued his education at Nair Dental College, where he completed his post-graduation in dentistry.
Political Career
Balaji Kinikar is a prominent political figure associated with the Shiv Sena party. He represents the Ambarnath constituency in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. His political career has seen him actively participating in key party activities and contributing to the governance of his constituency. Kinikar’s alignment with Shiv Sena has placed him in a critical position during various political developments in Maharashtra, particularly during the 2022 political crisis in the state. Despite facing challenges, such as threats to his life in June 2022, Kinikar has continued to serve his constituency with dedication.
Major Achievements
Throughout his tenure as an MLA, Balaji Kinikar has focused on the development and welfare of his constituency. He has been instrumental in driving infrastructure projects, improving public services, and addressing the concerns of his constituents. His efforts have contributed to the overall betterment of the Ambarnath region, making it a more developed and livable area.
Key Political Initiatives
Kinikar has been proactive in initiating various development projects in his constituency. These initiatives range from improving road infrastructure, enhancing healthcare facilities, and promoting educational opportunities for the youth. His work reflects his commitment to uplifting the standard of living for the people in Ambarnath.
Controversy
Ahead of the assembly elections, MLA Dr. Balaji Kinikar of Ambernath faces criticism from within his party, Shiv Sena, over various city issues. Former Shiv Sena city chief Arvind Walekar indirectly criticized Kinikar for the city’s ongoing water and electricity problems, suggesting dissatisfaction with his leadership. Shiv Sena, which has dominated Ambernath’s political landscape, now shows visible factionalism, with conflicts between groups loyal to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and others. Recent disputes have centered around water and electricity shortages, leading to criticism and efforts by Walekar to address these issues. The discord is evident with competing banners from different Shiv Sena factions appearing in the city. MLA Kinikar was unavailable for comment.
Social Media
Personal Life
Balaji Kinikar is known for his grounded and approachable personality. Despite the challenges that come with being a public figure, he has managed to maintain a balance between his personal and professional life. His family and close associates describe him as a dedicated individual who is committed to his responsibilities as an MLA.
Promises and Future Commitments
To address Ambernath’s growing water demands due to urbanization, MLA Dr. Balaji Kinikar has secured over ₹300 crore in funding for long-term solutions. The funds will be allocated to two major projects:
- Amrit Phase-2: ₹258 crore will be used to source water from the Ulhas River, with a new well and reservoir being constructed at Nalambi village. Water will be treated at a new plant and distributed through an extensive pipeline network, including 167 km of new pipelines. This will ensure a reliable water supply for the next 30 years.
- Chikhloli Dam: An additional ₹51 crore will increase the dam’s height by 2.5 meters, expanding its capacity by 6 million cubic meters. This enhancement aims to resolve water issues for 50,000 residents in Ambernath East.
MLA Dr. Balaji Kinikar inaugurated the concreting work for two key roads in Ulhasnagar-4 Subhash Hill area: from Panchsheel Buddha Vihar to Jai Bhim Pati and from Ashok Pawar Saheb’s house to Panchsheel Buddha Vihar. This initiative aims to improve local infrastructure and enhance connectivity in the region.
A review meeting was held to discuss the Ambernath Taluka Sports Complex and Ulhasnagar-5 Dussehra Maidan Yethil Talula Sports Complex projects. Key topics included:
- The proposal for funding the construction of the Ambernath Taluka Sports Complex.
- A detailed review of the progress at the Ulhasnagar Taluka Sports Complex, including a discussion on re-tracking 200 meters of the complex.
- A proposal to install a statue of democratic leader Anabhau Sathe at the Dussehra Maidan and a request from the Sindhi community to name the badminton court/sports building “Pujya Jhulelal.”
Videos and Interviews