Junnar Vidhan Sabha Election Result reflect the fascinating political complexity of one of Pune district’s largest and most geographically diverse constituencies. Located in Pune district’s Sahyadri foothills region, Junnar (constituency number 195) is a General (GEN) category assembly seat forming part of the Shirur Lok Sabha constituency.
The constituency is predominantly rural (over 93% rural as per 2011 census) with a significant Scheduled Tribe population and is known for Shivneri Fort the birthplace of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and the Bhimashankar wildlife sanctuary. The political history of Junnar has been dominated by the Benake/Benke family: Vallabh Dattatray Benake won the seat four times across four decades (1985, 1990, 2004, 2009), and his son Atul Benke won in 2019.
The 2024 election produced a stunning upset Sharaddada Bhimaji Sonawane, who had won in 2014 on an MNS ticket and lost to Atul Benke in 2019, rebelled against Shinde Sena (which gave the official Mahayuti ticket to Benke), contested as an Independent, and defeated NCP (SP)’s Satyashil Sherkar by 6,664 votes while pushing Mahayuti’s official candidate Benke to a distant third place. Below is the complete Junnar election history with year-wise results, vote counts, winning margins, and voter turnout data.
List of All MLAs from Junnar Assembly Seat
| Year | Elected MLA | Party | Total Votes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Sharaddada Bhimaji Sonawane | Independent (IND) | 73,355 |
| 2019 | Atul Vallabh Benke | Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) | 74,958 |
| 2014 | Sharaddada Bhimaji Sonavane | Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) | 60,305 |
| 2009 | Benake Vallabh Dattaray | Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) | 79,360 |
| 2004 | Benke Vallabh Dattatraya | Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) | 73,855 |
| 1999 | Balasaheb Savalerambuva Dangat | Shiv Sena (SHS) | 52,284 |
| 1995 | Dangat Balasaheb Savalerambuva | Shiv Sena (SHS) | 59,552 |
| 1990 | Benke Wallabh Dattatray | Indian National Congress (INC) | 37,953 |
| 1985 | Vellabh Dattaray Benake | Indian Congress (Socialist) (ICS) | 41,840 |
| 1980 | Dilip Dhamdhere | Indian National Congress (U) | 28,484 |
| 1978 | Krishnarao Mundhe | Indian National Congress (INC) | 29,017 |
| 1972 | Tambeshrikishna Ramji | Indian National Congress (INC) | 25,542 |
Junnar Vidhan Sabha Election 2024 Result
The Junnar Vidhan Sabha election 2024 was held on 20 November 2024 as part of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Elections 2024. Results were declared on 23 November 2024. The voter turnout was 69.44%.
Independent candidate Sharaddada Bhimaji Sonawane who rebelled against Shinde Sena after being denied the Mahayuti ticket won the Junnar MLA seat with 73,355 votes, defeating NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) candidate Satyashil Sopansheth Sherkar who secured 66,691 votes.
Mahayuti’s official candidate Atul Vallabh Benke (NCP – Ajit Pawar) finished a distant third with 48,100 votes. The winning margin in Junnar 2024 was 6,664 votes. The split in the Mahayuti vote between Sonawane (rebel) and Benke (official) proved decisive, allowing the Opposition’s NCP-SP candidate to come close.
| S.No. | Candidate | Party | Total Votes | Vote % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sharaddada Bhimaji Sonawane | Independent (IND) | 73,355 | — |
| 2 | Satyashil Sopansheth Sherkar | NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) (NCP-SP) | 66,691 | 29.48% |
| 3 | Atul Vallabh Benke | Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) | 48,100 | 21.26% |
| 4–onwards | Other candidates | Various | — | — |
| Winning Margin | 6,664 |
Also Read : Shirur Assembly Election Results 1978 to 2024 | Pune MLA List & History
Junnar Vidhan Sabha Election 2019 Result
In the Junnar Vidhan Sabha election 2019, the total electorate was 2,99,932 registered voters. A total of 2,02,529 valid votes were cast, reflecting a voter turnout of 67.52%. The Junnar election 2019 was held as part of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Elections 2019.
Nationalist Congress Party candidate Atul Vallabh Benke won the Junnar MLA seat with 74,958 votes, defeating Shiv Sena candidate Sharaddada Bhimaji Sonawane who secured 65,890 votes. Independent candidate Ashatai Dattatray Buchake finished third with 50,041 votes.
The winning margin in Junnar 2019 was 9,068 votes Atul Benke (son of four-time MLA Vallabh Benake) carrying forward the family’s political legacy.
| S.No. | Candidate | Party | Total Votes | Vote % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Atul Vallabh Benke | Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) | 74,958 | 37.01% |
| 2 | Sharaddada Bhimaji Sonawane | Shiv Sena (SHS) | 65,890 | 32.53% |
| 3 | Ashatai Dattatray Buchake | Independent (IND) | 50,041 | 24.71% |
| 4 | Dr Kedari Vinod Tanhaji | Independent (IND) | 6,719 | 3.32% |
| 5 | NOTA | None of the Above | 1,492 | 0.74% |
| 6 | Ashok Shankar Balsaraf | Vanchit Bahujan Aaghadi (VBA) | 873 | 0.43% |
| 7 | Sahebrao Dattatraya Shinde | Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) | 766 | 0.38% |
| 8 | Sukhdev Ganpat Kharat | Independent (IND) | 528 | 0.26% |
| 9 | Asha Gangaram Totare | Independent (IND) | 397 | 0.20% |
| 10 | Rohidas Pilaji Dethe | Independent (IND) | 363 | 0.18% |
| 11 | Alhat Rajendra Laxman | Independent (IND) | 280 | 0.14% |
| 12 | Rajendra Urfh Rajaram Bhaguji Dhomase | Independent (IND) | 222 | 0.11% |
| Total | 2,02,529 | 67.52% |
Junnar Vidhan Sabha Election 2014 Result
In the Junnar Vidhan Sabha election 2014, the total electorate was 2,75,914 registered voters. A total of 1,97,008 valid votes were polled, reflecting a voter turnout of 71.40%. The Junnar election 2014 was held as part of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Elections 2014.
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena candidate Sharaddada Bhimaji Sonavane won the Junnar MLA seat with 60,305 votes in an 11-candidate field, defeating Shiv Sena candidate Ashatai Dattatray Buchke who secured 43,382 votes. NCP’s Atul Benke finished third with 40,570 votes.
The winning margin in Junnar 2014 was 16,923 votes MNS’s only ever win from this constituency, riding the Raj Thackeray wave.
| S.No. | Candidate | Party | Total Votes | Vote % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sharaddada Bhimaji Sonavane | Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) | 60,305 | 30.61% |
| 2 | Ashatai Dattatray Buchke | Shiv Sena (SHS) | 43,382 | 22.02% |
| 3 | Atul Vallabh Benke | Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) | 40,570 | 20.59% |
| 4 | Netajidada Suresh Doke | Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) | 22,455 | 11.40% |
| 5 | Maruti Dubaji Wayal | Independent (IND) | 12,218 | 6.20% |
| 6 | Adv Gaffoor Ahamadkhan Pathan | Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) | 8,603 | 4.37% |
| 7 | Ganpat Rakhmaji Phulawade | Indian National Congress (INC) | 4,664 | 2.37% |
| 8 | NOTA | None of the Above | 1,756 | 0.89% |
| 9 | Rajendra Laxman Alhat | Independent (IND) | 1,365 | 0.69% |
| 10 | Bhadrige Shobha Raju | HIPPA | 867 | 0.44% |
| 11 | Chhajed Manoj Fulchand | Independent (IND) | 823 | 0.42% |
| Total | 1,97,008 | 71.40% |
Junnar Vidhan Sabha Election 2009 Result
In the Junnar Vidhan Sabha election 2009, the total electorate was 2,58,092 registered voters. A total of 1,63,536 valid votes were cast, reflecting a voter turnout of 63.36%. The Junnar election 2009 was held as part of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Elections 2009.
Nationalist Congress Party candidate Benake Vallabh Dattaray won the Junnar MLA seat with 79,360 votes, defeating Shiv Sena candidate Asha Dattatray Buchake who secured 72,902 votes.
The winning margin in Junnar 2009 was 6,458 votes Benake retaining the seat despite a strong Shiv Sena challenge.
| S.No. | Candidate | Party | Total Votes | Vote % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Benake Vallabh Dattaray | Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) | 79,360 | 48.53% |
| 2 | Asha Dattatray Buchake | Shiv Sena (SHS) | 72,902 | 44.58% |
| 3 | Adv Krishna Dashrath Lande | Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) | 4,741 | 2.90% |
| 4 | Shinde Shankar Tukaram | Independent (IND) | 2,088 | 1.28% |
| 5 | Rakshe Popat Sakharam | Republican Party of India (A) | 1,413 | 0.86% |
| 6 | Chilap Vasant Sawaleram | Independent (IND) | 1,324 | 0.81% |
| 7 | Bhosale Sunil Rangnath | Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) | 1,214 | 0.74% |
| 8 | Kharat Sukhdeo Ganpat | Independent (IND) | 494 | 0.30% |
| Total | 1,63,536 | 63.36% |
Junnar Vidhan Sabha Election 2004 Result
In the Junnar Vidhan Sabha election 2004, a total of 1,47,706 valid votes were recorded. The Junnar election 2004 was held as part of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Elections 2004.
Nationalist Congress Party candidate Benke Vallabh Dattatraya won the Junnar MLA seat with 73,855 votes, defeating Shiv Sena candidate Janardan Alias who secured 59,724 votes.
The winning margin in Junnar 2004 was 14,131 votes NCP wresting the seat back from Shiv Sena after two terms.
| S.No. | Candidate | Party | Total Votes | Vote % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Benke Vallabh Dattatraya | Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) | 73,855 | 49.97% |
| 2 | Janardan Alias | Shiv Sena (SHS) | 59,724 | 40.43% |
| 3 | Phulawade Ganpatrao Rakhmaji | Independent (IND) | 6,751 | 4.57% |
| 4 | Sukhdev Ganpat Kharat | Independent (IND) | 2,514 | 1.70% |
| 5 | Dongre Manohar Chimaji | Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) | 2,205 | 1.49% |
| 6 | Ashok Gangadhar Ratnaparkhi | Peoples Republican Party (PRBP) | 1,401 | 0.95% |
| 7 | Balasaheb Dangat | Independent (IND) | 711 | 0.48% |
| 8 | Ujwala Vishwnath Pawar | Independent (IND) | 545 | 0.37% |
| Total | 1,47,706 |
Junnar Vidhan Sabha Election 1999 Result
In the Junnar Vidhan Sabha election 1999, the total electorate was 1,72,593 registered voters. A total of 1,16,659 valid votes were polled, reflecting a voter turnout of 70.95%. The Junnar election 1999 was held as part of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Elections 1999.
Shiv Sena candidate Balasaheb Savalerambuva Dangat won the Junnar MLA seat with 52,284 votes, defeating Nationalist Congress Party candidate Benake Vallabh Dattatraya who secured 39,865 votes.
The winning margin in Junnar 1999 was 12,419 votes Dangat’s second consecutive win.
| S.No. | Candidate | Party | Total Votes | Vote % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Balasaheb Savalerambuva Dangat | Shiv Sena (SHS) | 52,284 | 44.82% |
| 2 | Benake Vallabh Dattatraya | Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) | 39,865 | 34.17% |
| 3 | Sopansheth Namedo Sherkar | Indian National Congress (INC) | 18,009 | 15.44% |
| 4 | Kalu Krishna Shelkande | Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM) | 4,979 | 4.27% |
| 5 | Kamble Sandip Sadashiv | Akhil Bharatiya Sena (ABHS) | 962 | 0.82% |
| 6 | Beg Abdul Rajjak Abdul Hamid | Independent (IND) | 236 | 0.20% |
| 7 | Kharat Ravikant Ramesh | Independent (IND) | 167 | 0.14% |
| 8 | Barev Balshiram Mahadu | Independent (IND) | 157 | 0.13% |
| Total | 1,16,659 | 70.95% |
Junnar Vidhan Sabha Election 1995 Result
In the Junnar Vidhan Sabha election 1995, the total electorate was 1,67,760 registered voters. A total of 1,37,930 valid votes were cast, reflecting a voter turnout of 84.28%. The Junnar election 1995 was held as part of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Elections 1995.
Shiv Sena candidate Dangat Balasaheb Savalerambuva won the Junnar MLA seat with 59,552 votes, defeating Indian National Congress candidate Benake Vallabhdattatraya who secured 42,545 votes. Independent candidate Fulawade Ganpat Rakhama finished third with 26,984 votes.
The winning margin in Junnar 1995 was 17,007 votes Shiv Sena’s dominant entry into Junnar politics.
| S.No. | Candidate | Party | Total Votes | Vote % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dangat Balasaheb Savalerambuva | Shiv Sena (SHS) | 59,552 | 43.18% |
| 2 | Benake Vallabhdattatraya | Indian National Congress (INC) | 42,545 | 30.85% |
| 3 | Fulawade Ganpat Rakhama | Independent (IND) | 26,984 | 19.56% |
| 4 | Utale Raghunath Laxman | Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangha (BBMS) | 5,618 | 4.07% |
| 5 | Farida Rahimatalli Sayyad | Samajwadi Janata Party (Maharashtra) (SJP-M) | 1,050 | 0.76% |
| 6 | Inamdar Usman Fattubhai | Independent (IND) | 766 | 0.56% |
| 7 | Shinde Deoram Baburao | Independent (IND) | 758 | 0.55% |
| 8 | Shinde Chandrakant Dagadu | Independent (IND) | 351 | 0.25% |
| 9 | Korhale Bhagwan Shivaji | Independent (IND) | 306 | 0.22% |
| Total | 1,37,930 | 84.28% |
Junnar Vidhan Sabha Election 1990 Result
In the Junnar Vidhan Sabha election 1990, the total electorate was 1,59,616 registered voters. A total of 1,03,832 valid votes were polled, reflecting a voter turnout of 66.35%. The Junnar election 1990 was held as part of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Elections 1990.
Indian National Congress candidate Benke Wallabh Dattatray won the Junnar MLA seat with 37,953 votes, defeating Janata Party candidate Gunjal Mahadeo Rakhama Alias Tatyasaheb who secured 27,577 votes.
Shiv Sena’s Dangat Balasaheb finished third with 22,653 votes. The winning margin in Junnar 1990 was 10,376 votes.
| S.No. | Candidate | Party | Total Votes | Vote % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Benke Wallabh Dattatray | Indian National Congress (INC) | 37,953 | 36.55% |
| 2 | Gunjal Mahadeo Rakhama Alias Tatyasaheb | Janata Party (JNP) | 27,577 | 26.56% |
| 3 | Dangat Balasaheb Savaleramdua | Shiv Sena (SHS) | 22,653 | 21.82% |
| 4 | Utale Raghunath Laxman | Independent (IND) | 13,833 | 13.32% |
| 5 | Kankariya Subhash Alias Mamaji Ramchandra | Bharatiya Krishi Udyog Sangh (BKUS) | 831 | 0.80% |
| 6 | Zanjre Sudhir Mahadeo | Independent (IND) | 358 | 0.34% |
| 7 | Gore Muralidhar Gangaram | Independent (IND) | 265 | 0.26% |
| 8 | Tamboli Altaph Usman | Independent (IND) | 223 | 0.21% |
| 9 | Gawade Khandu Nawagi | Hul Jharkhand Party (HJP) | 139 | 0.13% |
| Total | 1,03,832 | 66.35% |
Junnar Vidhan Sabha Election 1985 Result
In the Junnar Vidhan Sabha election 1985, the total electorate was 1,20,323 registered voters. A total of 81,602 valid votes were cast, reflecting a voter turnout of 69.38%. The Junnar election 1985 was held as part of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Elections 1985.
Indian Congress (Socialist) candidate Vellabh Dattaray Benake won the Junnar MLA seat with 41,840 votes, defeating Indian National Congress candidate Nivrittishet Namdeo Sherkar who secured 38,412 votes.
The winning margin in Junnar 1985 was 3,428 votes Benake’s first of four wins from this constituency.
| S.No. | Candidate | Party | Total Votes | Vote % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vellabh Dattaray Benake | Indian Congress (Socialist) (ICS) | 41,840 | 51.27% |
| 2 | Nivrittishet Namdeo Sherkar | Indian National Congress (INC) | 38,412 | 47.07% |
| 3 | Baban Tukaram Meher | Independent (IND) | 785 | 0.96% |
| 4 | Rambhau Vithal Lande | Independent (IND) | 565 | 0.69% |
| Total | 81,602 | 69.38% |
Junnar Vidhan Sabha Election 1980 Result
In the Junnar Vidhan Sabha election 1980, the total electorate was 1,11,887 registered voters. A total of 45,640 valid votes were polled, reflecting a very low voter turnout of 41.75%. The Junnar election 1980 was held as part of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Elections 1980.
Indian National Congress (U) candidate Dilip Dhamdhere won the Junnar MLA seat with 28,484 votes, defeating Indian National Congress (I) candidate Balasaheb Purvant who secured 16,588 votes.
The winning margin in Junnar 1980 was 11,896 votes a post-Emergency election that saw an inter-Congress split contest.
| S.No. | Candidate | Party | Total Votes | Vote % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dilip Dhamdhere | Indian National Congress (U) | 28,484 | 62.41% |
| 2 | Balasaheb Purvant | Indian National Congress (I) | 16,588 | 36.35% |
| 3 | Khandu Nawaji Gawade | Independent (IND) | 568 | 1.24% |
| Total | 45,640 | 41.75% |
Also Read : Nawapur Assembly Election Results 1972 to 2024 | Maharashtra MLA List & History
Junnar Vidhan Sabha Election 1978 Result
In the Junnar Vidhan Sabha election 1978, the total electorate was 1,04,793 registered voters. A total of 64,892 valid votes were cast, reflecting a voter turnout of 64.02%. The Junnar election 1978 was held as part of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Elections 1978.
Indian National Congress candidate Krishnarao Mundhe won the Junnar MLA seat with 29,017 votes, defeating Janata Party candidate Jagdish Phule who secured 28,297 votes.
The winning margin in Junnar 1978 was just 720 votes one of the narrowest margins in this constituency’s history.
| S.No. | Candidate | Party | Total Votes | Vote % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Krishnarao Mundhe | Indian National Congress (INC) | 29,017 | 44.72% |
| 2 | Jagdish Phule | Janata Party (JNP) | 28,297 | 43.61% |
| 3 | Chaskar Shankar Dhondiba | Independent (IND) | 7,578 | 11.68% |
| Total | 64,892 | 64.02% |
Junnar Vidhan Sabha Election 1972 Result
In the Junnar Vidhan Sabha election 1972, the total electorate was 79,463 registered voters. A total of 45,810 valid votes were polled, reflecting a voter turnout of 59.99%. The Junnar election 1972 was held as part of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Elections 1972.
Indian National Congress candidate Tambeshrikishna Ramji won the Junnar MLA seat with 25,542 votes, defeating Samyukta Socialist Party candidate Phule Jagdish Sitaram who secured 19,440 votes.
The winning margin in Junnar 1972 was 6,102 votes.
| S.No. | Candidate | Party | Total Votes | Vote % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tambeshrikishna Ramji | Indian National Congress (INC) | 25,542 | 55.76% |
| 2 | Phule Jagdish Sitaram | Samyukta Socialist Party (SOP) | 19,440 | 42.44% |
| 3 | Arvind Bhatwa Dekar | Independent (IND) | 828 | 1.81% |
| Total | 45,810 | 59.99% |
Junnar Vidhan Sabha Election Result FAQ
Who is the Current MLA of Junnar Vidhan Sabha?
Sharaddada Bhimaji Sonawane is the current MLA of Junnar Vidhan Sabha, having won the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly election as an Independent candidate defeating NCP (SP)’s Satyashil Sopansheth Sherkar by a margin of 6,664 votes. Junnar falls under the Shirur Lok Sabha constituency in Pune district the same constituency represented by NCP-SP’s Dr. Amol Kolhe as MP.
How Many Times Has Sharaddada Sonawane Contested and Won from Junnar?
Sharaddada Sonawane’s political journey in Junnar is a compelling story of switching parties and winning. In 2014, he won the Junnar seat under the MNS banner with 60,305 votes a margin of 16,923 votes over Shiv Sena. In 2019, he lost to NCP’s Atul Benke by 9,068 votes while contesting for Shiv Sena. He bounced back powerfully in 2024 as an Independent, defeating NCP (SP)’s candidate making him a two-time MLA from Junnar under two different party banners and eventually as an independent.
What is the Full Election History of Junnar Vidhan Sabha?
Shiv Sena has won Junnar 4 times and NCP has won 2 times since 1978 elections making SHS the most dominant party historically. INC’s Krishnarao Mundhe won in 1978, and INC’s Benke Vallabh Dattatray won in 1990. Shiv Sena’s Balasaheb Dangat dominated the seat in 1995 and 1999 with comfortable margins. NCP’s Atul Benke won in 2009 and 2019, while MNS’s Sharaddada Sonawane surprisingly won in 2014 reflecting the constituency’s highly competitive and unpredictable political nature.
What Was the Voter Turnout in Junnar Vidhan Sabha Elections?
In 2019, Junnar had 2,99,932 registered electors and 2,02,529 valid votes polled reflecting a healthy turnout of around 67%. In 2014, the constituency had 2,75,914 electors with 1,97,008 valid votes polled. Junnar, being a largely rural and hilly constituency in Pune district with significant sugarcane farming and agri-based population, consistently sees strong voter engagement across all election cycles.
What Was the Biggest Winning Margin in Junnar Vidhan Sabha History?
The biggest winning margin in Junnar’s recent electoral history came in the 1995 election, when Shiv Sena’s Balasaheb Savalerambuva Dangat won by a dominant 17,007 votes, securing 59,552 votes against INC’s Benakevallabhdattatraya who got 42,545 votes. In modern history, MNS’s Sharaddada Sonawane’s 16,923-vote margin in 2014 comes closest making these two elections the most one-sided contests in Junnar’s entire electoral history.