<p>Mumbai: Veteran politician Kalidas Kolambkar has entered the Guinness Book of World Records for becoming the longest-serving MLA from the same constituency and never losing an election.</p><p>In the 2024 Vidhan Sabha polls, Kolambkar won the Mumbai's Wadala seat from the BJP. </p><p>Kolambkar started his political career under late Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray. </p><p>This is the ninth term as an MLA from the 71-year-old Kolambkar. </p> .BJP MLA Kalidas Kolambkar takes oath as pro-tem Speaker of Maharashtra Assembly.<p>Kolambkar has won the Wadala (and earlier Naigaon) seat - twice from the BJP, twice for Congress and five times for the Shiv Sena. </p><p>The constituency comprises largely Marathi-speaking people besides from the Gujarati and Rajasthani communities, and a significant number of Muslim and Dalit community members.</p><p>Kolambkar has never lost an election and there was no break - and hence he is among the few legislators of India - to have won nine successive times. </p> .<p>Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis felicitated Kolambkar on the occasion. </p><p>“Many congratulations to Kalidas Kolambkar ji for being the longest-serving MLA for 36 years in the Legislative Assembly with an incredible 9 consecutive terms and getting recognized as a world record holder by the Guinness Book of World Records. May you keep inspiring all leaders for such tremendous public service,” said Fadnavis, a senior BJP leader.</p> .<p>The son of a mill worker, his father used to work with Bombay Dyeing Mills, Kolambkar, in the Shiv Sena, rose to become Gat Pramukh, Shakha Pramukh and then Corporator from Ward 42 in the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). </p><p>He was first elected in Wadala (formerly Naigaon) in 1990 when he was part of the undivided Shiv Sena.</p><p>A Thackeray loyalist, Kolambkar quit Shiv Sena with Narayan Rane in 2005 and subsequently joined the Congress. He later joined the BJP.</p> .<p>However, as far as number of terms is concerned, late Peasants' and Workers' Party (PWP) leader Ganpatrao Deshmukh had won 11 times. Deshmukh was first elected an MLA in 1962 and has won 11 times during his political career spanning seven decades. He contested 13 times but lost twice in 1972 and 1995.</p><p>Deshmukh was the second longest serving legislator in India after late DMK supremo and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi. As against Deshmukh's tenure, Karunanidhi was a member of Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly for 61 years and was an MLA 13 times.</p>
<p>Mumbai: Veteran politician Kalidas Kolambkar has entered the Guinness Book of World Records for becoming the longest-serving MLA from the same constituency and never losing an election.</p><p>In the 2024 Vidhan Sabha polls, Kolambkar won the Mumbai's Wadala seat from the BJP. </p><p>Kolambkar started his political career under late Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray. </p><p>This is the ninth term as an MLA from the 71-year-old Kolambkar. </p> .BJP MLA Kalidas Kolambkar takes oath as pro-tem Speaker of Maharashtra Assembly.<p>Kolambkar has won the Wadala (and earlier Naigaon) seat - twice from the BJP, twice for Congress and five times for the Shiv Sena. </p><p>The constituency comprises largely Marathi-speaking people besides from the Gujarati and Rajasthani communities, and a significant number of Muslim and Dalit community members.</p><p>Kolambkar has never lost an election and there was no break - and hence he is among the few legislators of India - to have won nine successive times. </p> .<p>Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis felicitated Kolambkar on the occasion. </p><p>“Many congratulations to Kalidas Kolambkar ji for being the longest-serving MLA for 36 years in the Legislative Assembly with an incredible 9 consecutive terms and getting recognized as a world record holder by the Guinness Book of World Records. May you keep inspiring all leaders for such tremendous public service,” said Fadnavis, a senior BJP leader.</p> .<p>The son of a mill worker, his father used to work with Bombay Dyeing Mills, Kolambkar, in the Shiv Sena, rose to become Gat Pramukh, Shakha Pramukh and then Corporator from Ward 42 in the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). </p><p>He was first elected in Wadala (formerly Naigaon) in 1990 when he was part of the undivided Shiv Sena.</p><p>A Thackeray loyalist, Kolambkar quit Shiv Sena with Narayan Rane in 2005 and subsequently joined the Congress. He later joined the BJP.</p> .<p>However, as far as number of terms is concerned, late Peasants' and Workers' Party (PWP) leader Ganpatrao Deshmukh had won 11 times. Deshmukh was first elected an MLA in 1962 and has won 11 times during his political career spanning seven decades. He contested 13 times but lost twice in 1972 and 1995.</p><p>Deshmukh was the second longest serving legislator in India after late DMK supremo and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi. As against Deshmukh's tenure, Karunanidhi was a member of Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly for 61 years and was an MLA 13 times.</p>