Gujarat Elections 2017: Marginalised Hope to Find a New Voice in Assembly With Jignesh Mevani, Alpesh Thakor's Wins

New Delhi: The much talked about Dalit-Muslim unity, which was supposed to trump the "fascist forces" in Uttar Pradesh, has come to play in Gujarat elections.

Vadgam constituency in the state has elected Jignesh Mevani, an activist who convened the Una Dalit Atyachar Ladat Samiti (Una Dalit Fight against Atrocities Committee) in the face of crimes against Dalits. His win could not have been possible without close to 70,000 Muslims voting for him.

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.

He said that the way the entire campaign unfolded in Gujarat, there was difficulty in distinguishing between Congress and BJP, for the simple reason that both were competing to establish a "Hindu hegemony".

"Congress did not talk about Muslims. They felt their credentials as a Hindu party were under threat. Therefore, the Gujarat elections were for establishing themselves as a Hindu hegemon."

He said Mevani's presence in the Gujarat Assembly will be a hope and also a challenge as experts and activists warn that any consolidation of lower castes and Muslims could lead to counter consolidation of upper caste Hindus.

Mevani's breakthrough came with Una when the video of Dalit youths being flogged for skinning a dead cow sent chills down the collective conscience of the country. Massive protests rallies were held and workers refused to remove cow carcasses. The 35-year-old activist became the face of the Dalit movement. He remained committed to the agitation and he fought as an independent.

His independent politics made Vadgam, a reserved seat, one of the crucial constituencies. Congress supported him by not fielding any candidate from the seat.

OBC leader Alpesh Thakor, who has won from Radhanpur, would also be a fresh face in the assembly. With Alpesh and Jignesh in the Gujarat Assembly, "They will add a new voice in the house and take to the government on issues plaguing the people," says Prashant Dayal, a journalist and political commentator.

"What's remarkable is BJP tried its strength to defeat these leaders but Alpesh and Jignesh won," expert on Gujarat politics Prashant Dayal said. He has been a journalist covering state elections.