Maharashtra Election Results: Ravi Gangadhar Rana defends his position in Badnera

Rashtriya Yuva Swabhiman Party candidate Ravi Gangadhar Rana won the Badnera seat in Maharashtra, securing 1,27,800 votes. Band Priti Sanjay came in second place with 60,826 votes, and Shiv Sena's Kharate Sunil Baldeorao got 7,121 votes.

The counting of votes began at 8 am on Saturday in the Badnera seat where the election witnessed a major battle. 

The Badnera constituency (number 37), located in the Amravati district, is a key battleground in the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections. This General category seat, part of the Amravati Lok Sabha constituency, holds significant political importance in the region. Badnera’s demographic mix of urban and rural voters adds complexity to the election, making it one of the closely watched contests in the state.

Key candidates

Ravi Rana, from Rashtriya Yuva Swabhiman Party, is seeking re-election in Badnera after securing victories in previous Assembly elections. In 2019, Rana defeated Shiv Sena’s Band Priti Sanjay by 15,541 votes (8.38 percent), securing 48.46 percent of the vote share. This year, he faces stiff competition from Sunil Kharate of Shiv Sena (UBT).

How many candidates are in the fray?

A total of 26 candidates are contesting from the constituency.

What was the 2019 mandate in Badnera?

In the 2019 elections, Ravi Rana emerged victorious with 48.46 percent of the vote share, defeating Shiv Sena's Band Priti Sanjay by a margin of 15,541 votes. Rana had previously won the seat in 2014 by defeating Band Sanjay Raosaheb with a margin of 7,419 votes, solidifying his position as a dominant force in Badnera.

What are the issues for Badnera residents this election?

Key local issues in Badnera include infrastructure development, agriculture, and employment opportunities. With a significant urban and rural population, voters are also concerned about access to basic amenities and improvements in healthcare and education. The candidates are expected to focus on these pressing issues during their campaigns to gain support from the electorate.

Electorate size and voter turnout

In the 2019 Assembly elections, Badnera had a total of 185,336 valid votes cast, with a voter turnout of 52.5 percent. The constituency is known for its relatively average voter engagement compared to other constituencies in the state, but the 2024 elections are expected to see heightened interest due to the high-profile nature of the contest.

Election dates

Badnera went to polls on November 20. The results will be announced on Saturday, as the political landscape of this key constituency takes shape. With both Ravi Rana and Sunil Kharate vying for the win, the contest promises to be a closely contested race.

2024 voter turnout

Badnera emerged as a key battleground, recording a voter turnout of 57.67 percent.