Balwant Baswant Wankhade Wikipedia: A Powerful Dalit Voice from Amravati Who Reached Parliament Without a Political Legacy

Balwant Baswant Wankhade Biography: Balwant Baswant Wankhade is a notable name in Indian politics, a man who journeyed from being a village sarpanch to a Member of Parliament without any political lineage. Known for his activism around social justice, Dalit rights, and grassroots development, Wankhade currently serves as the Congress MP from the Amravati Lok Sabha constituency in the 18th Lok Sabha. His life is a testament to struggle, service, and determination.

On his birthday, let’s explore the political journey, challenges, and accomplishments of this inspiring leader.

Born July 2, 1967, Amravati, Maharashtra

Political Party: Indian National Congress

Birth, Education & Family Background

Born on 2 July 1967 in Lehgaon village in Daryapur Taluka, Amravati district, Maharashtra, Balwant Wankhade hails from a modest Dalit family. His early life was marked by poverty and limited resources, yet he was driven by education and social awareness, which laid the foundation for his leadership journey.

He completed his primary schooling in his village and later earned his bachelor’s degree from Amravati University. From a young age, he was drawn to social work and became actively involved in advocating for Dalit rights.

Beginning of Political Life

Balwant Wankhade began his political career in 2005 as a member of the gram panchayat. By 2010, he had become an active member of Lehgaon Gram Panchayat and took on the role of sarpanch, laying the groundwork for rural development.

Association with RPI (Gavai Faction)

In the early years of his political career, Wankhade was associated with the Republican Party of India (Gavai faction). He emerged as an active leader within the party and worked closely with senior leaders like R.S. Gavai and Dr. D.J. Walkpanjar, establishing himself in the politics of social justice and Bahujan empowerment.

Zilla Parishad and Other Responsibilities

In 2012, Wankhade contested and won a seat in the Amravati Zilla Parishad. He was then appointed as the Chairman of the Health and Finance Committee, where he focused on improving rural healthcare services and ensuring financial transparency.

From 2017 to 2019, he served as the President of Amravati Zilla Parishad, implementing schemes related to education, roads, irrigation, and women’s empowerment at the grassroots level.

Contribution to Agriculture and Cooperatives

Alongside his political career, Wankhade played a significant role in the agriculture and cooperative sectors. From 2005 to 2020, he was a Director of the Daryapur Agricultural Produce Market Committee, and he also served as a Director of the Amravati District Central Cooperative Bank. He worked to improve credit access for farmers and strengthen the local cooperative ecosystem.

Struggles in Assembly Elections

Wankhade contested the Daryapur Assembly seat (reserved for Scheduled Castes) in 2009 and 2014.

• In 2009, he ran as an RPI (Gavai) candidate and came in second.
• In 2014, he contested again but lost.

Despite the defeats, these experiences sharpened his political strategy and broadened his grassroots appeal.

Joining Congress and Victory in 2019

In 2019, Wankhade left the Republican Party and joined the Indian National Congress. He was fielded by the party from the Daryapur Assembly constituency, and this time, he won with a landslide margin of over 30,000 votes, entering the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly for the first time.

The 2024 Lok Sabha Victory

In the 2024 general elections, the Congress nominated Wankhade from the Amravati Lok Sabha seat, a constituency reserved for Scheduled Castes. The seat was previously held by Navneet Rana, an independent MP supported by Congress and NCP in 2019.

However, Rana later aligned with the BJP, distancing herself from the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition. In response, the MVA fielded Balwant Wankhade, who defeated Navneet Kaur Rana by a margin of about 20,000 votes, securing his place in Parliament.

He took his oath as a Member of Parliament on June 24, 2024.

Current Position and Priorities

Today, Balwant Wankhade is a Member of the 18th Lok Sabha and one of the key Dalit faces of the Congress Party. In Parliament, he actively raises issues concerning Scheduled Castes.

His focus areas include:

• Expanding education and employment opportunities for Dalits
• Advancing irrigation projects in the Amravati region
• Promoting women’s empowerment
• Launching self-employment schemes for youth
• Digitization and transparency in cooperative banking

Social Commitments and Public Identity

Wankhade has always championed the cause of the last person in society. He has worked extensively on rural development, healthcare, and education.

A follower of Buddhism, he is deeply influenced by the ideals of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. He emphasizes Dalit women’s rights, support systems for victims of domestic violence, and improving access to government schemes.

Challenges and Source of Inspiration

Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of Balwant Wankhade’s political journey is that he achieved success without any political family background.

His journey from a rural village, through local governance, to the state assembly and now to Parliament, is a powerful example of perseverance.

He faced electoral defeats but never wavered from his mission. Today, Wankhade stands as a true representative of the Dalit community, giving voice to their concerns in the national legislature.

From an ordinary rural youth to a Member of Parliament, Balwant Baswant Wankhade’s story is truly inspirational. He proves that with integrity, service, and public engagement, it is possible to reach great heights in politics — even without dynastic backing.