Ratnakar Manikrao Gutte

Social and Political Life of Ratnakar Gutte, MLA from Gangakhed, Maharashtra

1. Political Journey and Milestones

Ratnakar Manikrao Gutte, born in Beed district, Maharashtra, began his journey from a modest background and rose to prominence through entrepreneurship and later, politics. Initially working as a laborer, he entered the business world by founding Sunil Hitech Engineers Limited in 1998, followed by Gangakhed Sugar & Energy Limited, which became a significant player in Maharashtra’s sugar industry. Gutte’s foray into politics was motivated by his vision for the development of Palam, Poorna, and Gangakhed talukas. He contested the Gangakhed Assembly seat in 2014 but narrowly lost. In 2019, he secured victory as an MLA from Gangakhed, representing the Rashtriya Samaj Paksha (RSPS), and reaffirmed his position in the 2024 elections with a significant margin.

Key milestones include:

2014: Contested Gangakhed Assembly seat, lost by 2,289 votes.

2019: Won Gangakhed as RSPS candidate, even while in judicial custody.

2024: Re-elected with 45.47% of the vote, defeating Shiv Sena (UBT) rival by over 26,000 votes.

2. Current Political Role

Ratnakar Gutte is the elected MLA from Gangakhed constituency (Parbhani district, Maharashtra), representing the Rashtriya Samaj Paksha (RSPS) in the 15th Maharashtra Legislative Assembly (2024–2029). He is the lone RSPS MLA and has extended support to the Mahayuti alliance post-election. Gutte is known for active participation in constituency development, and his legislative performance is marked by a focus on local infrastructure, rural welfare, and farmer-centric initiatives.

3. Social Work and Community Engagement

Gutte’s business and political careers are deeply intertwined with community development:

Education: Built schools and provided scholarships for underprivileged students.

Healthcare: Established hospitals offering free medical care to the poor.

Rural Empowerment: Supported irrigation projects and water conservation, benefiting thousands of local farmers.

Sports Promotion: Developed sports facilities, including a stadium and swimming pool, and sponsored local teams.

Philanthropy: Regularly donates to charitable causes and disaster relief efforts.

His public image in Gangakhed is that of a “Mahameru of development”—a leader synonymous with progress and social responsibility.

4. Youth and Women Empowerment

Gutte has initiated multiple programs for youth skill development and education. He supports scholarships and career guidance for students and encourages entrepreneurship among young people. For women, he has backed Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and promoted women’s participation in local economic activities, especially in rural areas.

5. Election Performance and Campaign Style

Contested three consecutive assembly elections (2014, 2019, 2024), winning the last two.

2024: Won with 45.47% vote share (141,544 votes), a margin of over 26,000 votes.

2019: Won with 30.07% vote share.

His campaigns are marked by strong grassroots mobilization, visible public outreach, and leveraging both traditional and digital methods.

6. Public Perception and Media Presence

Gutte enjoys a reputation as a development-focused leader and is often referred to as a “grassroots karyakarta” in Gangakhed. His media presence is significant, with coverage highlighting both his business acumen and social initiatives, though he has also faced scrutiny regarding legal and financial controversies. He is sometimes called “Mahameru of development” in the local context.

7. Associations and Leadership Roles

Chairman and Managing Director of Gangakhed Sugar & Energy Limited and Sunil Hitech Engineers Limited.

Holds leadership positions in various industrial and social organizations, contributing to the economic and social fabric of Parbhani district.

8. Recognitions and Awards

Padma Shri (2013) for contributions to the sugar industry.

Maharashtra Bhushan Award (2017) for social service.

Other honors include “Marathwada Gaurav Award” and “Bharat Vibhusan Samman Puraskar”.

9. Crisis Response and Ground Presence

Gutte has played a key role during droughts and natural disasters, providing relief to affected farmers and communities through his companies and personal initiatives. He maintained direct engagement with constituents, ensuring timely support during the COVID-19 pandemic and other crises.