Jignesh Mewani wins Vadgam seat in Gujarat

Dalit leader, activist and lawyer who became the most outspoken champion of Dalit rights after the shocking Una incident in Gujarat, Jignesh Mevani won the Vadgam seat today, December 18^th 2017, according to the Election Commission. He defeated the BJP candidate by a margin of 19,696 votes.

Jignesh for Dalit-Muslim unity

Dalit activist Ashok Bharti, former chairman of NACDOR (National Confederation of Dalit Organisation), said Mevani’s victory gives some hope for the marginalised as both Congress and BJP did not talk about Muslims and their issues.

On the other hand, Jignesh Mewani spoke for Dalit and Muslim rights and stood as Independent candidate in Vadgam, a reserved seat, one of the crucial constituencies. Congress supported him by not fielding any candidate from the seat. His win could not have been possible without close to 70,000 Muslims voting for him.

Alpesh Thakur has also won his Radhanpur seat. Both are first time candidates in Gujarat.