Elections 98

State:	Maharashtra
Constituency:	Akola
Total Votes Polled:	733223
Winner: RPI	Ambedkar Prakash Yashawant	366427
Runner Up: BJP	Fundkar Pandurang Pundlik	333645
Margin: 32782 (9%)

Elections 96

State:	Maharashtra
Constituency:	Akola
Total Votes Polled:	647675
Winner: BJP	Phundkar Pandurang Pundlik	221094
Runner Up: RPI	Ambedkar Prakash Yeshwant	212041
Margin: 9053 (1.42%)

Even in 1977 when the north was swept by the Janata wave, this constituency remained faithful to the Congress, its MP being none other than Vasant Sathe. Madhusudan Vairale -- actress Kiran's pa -- was the last Congressman to win from this seat, his two-time stint as MP ending in 1989 when the constituency elected Pandurang Pundalik of the BJP. In 1996 he was elected for the third consecutive time, and he defeated B R Ambedkar's grandson, Prakash of the Republican Party of India.