Gujarat polls: Dalit activist Jignesh Mevani wins from Vadgam

Vadgam (Gujarat) [India], Dec. 18 (ANI): Rashtriya Dalit Adhikar Manch convener Jignesh Mevani won from Gujarat's Vadgam seat, defeating Bharatiya Janata Party's nominee Vijay Chakravarti by 19,696 votes.

Speaking on his victory, Mevani told ANI that he will keep working for the "betterment" people of the state.

"Everyone was standing with me.I promise to people, I will keep working for you..I will submit memorandum to Palanpur's district collector tomorrow morning and start constructing road here..BJP's victory is very unfortunate for this country we hope we will give tough fight to BJP in 2019," he said.

Hailing from Ahmedabad, Mevani contested from Vadgan as a Congress-backed independent candidate. The seat is considered very safe against BJP due to 16 percent Dalits and 25 percent Muslim population.

The anger of Dalits rose out of brutal beating of four dalit men by some local 'gau raksha' groups in Una had hurt the community in all over the state.

Jignesh Mevani led the movement against the ruling BJP and tried to unite Dalits and Muslims through his rallies like that of 'Chalo Una'.

The election in some villages of the constituency was suspended due to alleged reports of ink mark on the election symbol of Jignesh Mevani. Jignesh, on the polling day of second phase, made allegations of defaming him and playing cheap tricks against the BJP candidate. He also demanded repolling in four villages.

There are total 260711 registered voters in Vadgam assembly constituency, which consists of Vadgam Taluka, Palanpur Taluka (Part) Villages - Hathidra, Kumpar, Godh, Dhandha, Khasa, Hoda, Galwada, Sagrosana, Bhagal (Jagana),Manaka, Gola, Merwada (Ratanpur), Vagda, Jagana, Vasna (Jagana), Badarpura (Kalusana), Saripada, Patosan, Salla, Sasam, Takarwada, Tokariya, Sedrasana, Kamalpur, Fatepur, Semodra, Asmapura (Gola), Dhelana, Kharodiya, Jasleni, Badargadh, Kanodar (CT). (ANI)