Rai Assembly constituency, located in Haryana’s Sonipat district, is a mix of urban and countrified areas with a substantial Jat and OBC population. As part of the Sonipat Lok Sabha constituency, Rai is known for its industrial and educational seats yet also grapples with rural problems like water supply and agrarian distress. The political competition especially involves the BJP, INC, and JJP, with infrastructure growth and job innovation being significant local situations.
Contents
Constituency Overview
| Constituency | Rai Assembly Constituency |
| Nature of Seats | General (Non-Reserved) |
| District | Sonipat |
| Total Voters (2024) | 1,74,882 registered voters |
| Number of Booths | 201 polling booths |
| Dominant Community | Jat, OBC, and Urban Communities |
| Key Issues | Infrastructure, Industrial Development, Water Supply, Agrarian Welfare, Employment |
2024 Assembly Election Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| BJP | Krishna Gahlawat | 64614 | 46.08 | |
| INC | Jai Bhagwan Antil | 59941 | 42.75 | |
| Independent | Prateek Rajkumar Sharma | 12262 | 8.74 | |
| INLD | Parmod Dahiya | 707 | 0.5 | |
| JJP | Bijender | 306 | 0.22 | |
| AAP | Rajesh Saroha | 281 | 0.2 | |
| SUCI (C) | Devender Singh | 225 | 0.16 | |
| RMVP | Mukesh Tapsi | 60 | 0.04 | |
| YTP | Sant Dharamveer Chotivala | 102 | 0.07 | |
| Independent | Bijender Kumar | 66 | 0.05 | |
| Independent | Rajesh Kumar | 60 | 0.04 | |
| Independent | Rahul Kiroriwal | 635 | 0.45 | |
| Independent | Sandeep Kumar | 74 | 0.05 | |
| Independent | Sitender | 400 | 0.29 | |
| NOTA | None of the Above | 486 | 0.35 |
Winner: Krishna Gahlawat (BJP) defeated Jai Bhagwan Antil (INC) by a margin of 4,673 votes.
2019 Assembly Election Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| BJP | Mohan Lal Badoli | 45,377 | 37.99% | +8.62% |
| INC | Jai Tirath Dahiya | 42,715 | 33.76% | +4.54% |
| JJP | Ajit Antil | 17,137 | 14.35% | N/A |
| LSP | Raj Kumar Sharma | 8,422 | 7.05% | N/A |
| BSP | Pramjeet | 2,890 | 2.42% | +0.01% |
| INLD | Inderjeet | 637 | 0.53% | -30.69% |
| Bharatiya Samtawadi Party (A) | Sunil Kumar S/O Bhim Singh | 540 | 0.45% | N/A |
Winner: Krishna Gahlawat (BJP) defeated Jai Tirath Dahiya (INC) by a margin of 2,662 votes with a voter turnout of 1,19,455 (68.31%).
2014 Assembly Election Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| INC | Jai Tirath Dahiya | 36,703 | 31.22% | -9.9 |
| INLD | Inderjeet | 36,700 | 31.22% | -4.5 |
| BJP | Krishna Gahlawat | 34,523 | 29.37% | +26.19 |
| HJC(BL) | Ranjeet Kaushik | 3,299 | 2.81% | -9.16 |
| BSP | Satyapal Chauhan | 2,837 | 2.41% | -3.08 |
| Independent | Parramjeet | 646 | 0.55% | N/A |
Winner: Jai Tirath Dahiya (INC) defeated Inderjeet (INLD) by a margin of 3 votes with a voter turnout of 1,17,557 (76,60%).
2009 Assembly Election Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| INC | Jai Tirath Dahiya | 35,514 | 41.12% | +1.87 |
| INLD | Inderjeet | 30,848 | 35.72% | +7.38 |
| HJC(BL) | Ranjit Singh | 10,336 | 11.97% | N/A |
| BSP | Narayan Dutt | 4,747 | 5.50% | +0.04 |
| BJP | Rajpal | 2,740 | 3.17% | -15.66 |
| Independent | Sushil Kumar Alias Binnu | 679 | 0.79% | N/A |
| Independent | Ravinder Nath | 479 | 0.55% | N/A |
Winner: Jai Tirath Dahiya (INC) defeated Inderjeet (INLD) by a margin of 4,666 votes with a voter turnout of 86,361 (69.55%).
Rai Assembly Constituency SWOT Analysis
Strengths
- Proximity to Industrial Hubs: Rai’s location near industrial areas and educational institutions makes it economically significant, with industrial development being a top priority for the voters.
- Strong Political Competition: The constituency has historically seen close competition between the BJP and INC, ensuring that political parties remain actively engaged with the local issues.
Weaknesses
- Infrastructure Deficits: Despite its proximity to urban areas, parts of Rai continue to struggle with basic infrastructure issues like road connectivity, healthcare, and water supply, creating dissatisfaction among residents.
- Unemployment: The lack of job opportunities, particularly for the youth, remains a critical issue, despite industrial areas nearby.
Opportunities
- Industrial Growth and Employment: Candidates focusing on connecting the industrial hubs to local employment opportunities through vocational training and education could gain significant traction with the electorate.
- Youth Engagement: The growing young population in Rai presents an opportunity for political parties to address employment, education, and skill development.
Threats
- Agrarian Distress: Rai’s rural areas continue to face agricultural challenges, including water shortages, poor crop pricing, and a lack of government support, which could lead to voter dissatisfaction.
- Fragmentation of Votes: Multiple political parties could lead to vote splitting, resulting in unpredictable outcomes in the elections.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who is the current MLA of Rai?
Krishna Gahlawat from the BJP is the incumbent MLA, elected in 2024.
How many voters are there in the Rai Assembly Constituency?
There are 1,74,882 registered voters for the 2024 elections.
Which political parties are contesting in Rai in 2024?
Major parties like the BJP, INC, Independent, INLD, JJP, AAP, SUCI (C), RMVP, YTP, Independent and NOTA are contesting.
What was the voter turnout in the last election (2019)?
The voter turnout in 2019 was 68.31%, with 1,19,455 voters casting their ballots.
What is the political significance of Rai?
Rai is significant due to its industrial proximity and mixed urban-rural population, making it a key seat for parties focusing on both industrial development and rural welfare policies.
Gallery
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