Jignesh Mevani faces an uphill battle in Vadgam

Jignesh Mevani, a former journalist turned activist, politician, Independent MLA and has evolved into an icon for Dalit youths, activists across the country. As of now, he is witnessing an uphill task in his reserved home constituency Vadgam in Banaskantha district which went to polls on Monday. The former Independent legislator is now an Indian National Congress (INC) candidate.

Jignesh Mevani

Former sympathizer turns BJP rival: Although Jignesh Mevani got elected as an Independent contestant in the 2017 general elections, he had blessings from the Congress party which supported his candidature by abstaining from fielding its candidate. The former Vadgam Congress MLA Manilal Vaghela was shifted to the neighbouring Idar constituency where he was defeated. However, this time the same Manilal Vaghela who had wholeheartedly extended support has now turned an opponent by being a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate. He quit Congress in November 2021 and joined the BJP in April 2022.

Anti-incumbency gives a jolt: Thanks to his vociferous voice against atrocities and injustices meted on Dalits, oppressed and minorities all over the country, Jignesh Mevani, over some time has transformed into a sought-after messiah. Maybe, he is a known national personality but back home he is being chided for remaining far away from the constituency during the tenure and making a presence only on the eve of the present elections. Shreenath Pujari, an advocate from Vijayapura district of Karnataka, who has been camping for more than a month with 10 youths to the campaign, exclaims-“Yes, it is a concern. The electorates are being convinced of the responsibilities the 42 years old youth leader has beyond the boundaries of Gujarat. Even Jignesh has realized the fact and has been appealing to people to pardon him for the lapse”.

 Source: The Indian EXPRESS

Muslims, Dalits and Thakurs hold the key: The Vadgam Assembly constituency has 2.2 lakh total voters with Muslims taking a lion's share of around 80,000 while Dalits constitute 25,000 and the landholding Thakurs’ are about 40,000 in numbers. Interestingly the Chelias, a sub-caste of Vadgam Muslims boast of running a huge chain of more than 2,500 pure vegetarian and non-vegetarian eateries in the towns, and cities apart from all over the highways of Gujarat. But their day and night blooming business keep about 30,000 of these people far away from their native place. Yet, Jignesh Mevani was successful in convincing the business community to return home to vote. This time, it needs to be seen on the impact of his appeal on the poll prospects.

Filling of lake, Oxygen plant: Apart from being blamed for remaining far away from the constituency, Jignesh Mevani is also being accused of doing nothing for the constituency people, by his detractors. But Shreenath Pujari refutes the slander - “An Rs 192 crores project has been implemented to fill a lake from waters of the Saraswati River’s Mukteshwar dam. There was a scarcity of oxygen cylinders during Covid-19 and Jignesh attempted to build an oxygen manufacturing plant in Vadgam with the MLA’s development funds. But the state government retorted by freezing the account. This step didn’t dampen his spirits. He collected donations from the general public and at last succeeded in setting up an oxygen manufacturing unit. This is the first and only oxygen-generating plant of the state”.

No money, vehicle: Jignesh Mevani neither has the money nor a vehicle of his own to move around the constituency. Shreenath Pujari, a lawyer by profession and an activist by passion has given his high-end vehicle for campaigning. Activists with no political connection have moved the nook and corner of the constituency spending their own money. Their only aim is to strive for victory so that the sole vocal Dalit voice continues to remain vocal.

-Manohar Yadavatti