Jignesh Mevani, the Dalit leader contesting the Gujarat polls from the Vadagam (SC) seat in Banaskantha district as an Independent candidate has won. He has the support of the Congress.

Mevani, the face of last years Dalit agitation in Gujarat, also received the backing of the Aam Aadmi Party.
 
He had declared his candidature as sitting MLA Manibhai Vaghela said the state unit of the Congress had asked him not to enter the fray as a part of an agreement with the Dalit activist.

At a protest rally in the wake of the flogging of dalits in Una, Mevani the convenor of the Dalit Atyachar Ladat Samiti had led a rally of 20,000 dalits.

The protest ultimately led to the resignation of former Chief Minister, Anandi Ben, and a disturbance among the partys top ranks.

Mevani had considered activist and slain journalist Gauri Lankesh as his adopted mother. Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel wins Mahesana with a slim margin of 2200 votes. CM Vijay Rupani has also won.


Image: Activist Teesta Setalvad‏  tweets this image saying, "Gauri Amma's Blessings with You @jigneshmevani80 @jigneshmewanii #GujaratVerdict #GujaratElection2017 #GujaratResults"