Jignesh Mevani's convoy attacked during Gujarat poll campaign. He blames BJP

Photo: Twitter/Jignesh Mevani

AHMEDABAD: Dalit leader Jignesh Mevani allegedly faced an attack on one of his cars in his convoy when he was campaigning on Tuesday. The leader alleged that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporters were behind the attack.

"Friends, supporters of the BJP today attacked me at Takarwada village. The BJP is scared and therefore it is resorting to such acts. But I am a revolutionary, will not get scared," Mevani wrote on Twitter.

Mevani said the BJP was scared of him and that's why it was resorting to such acts. He also asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi if it was his "idea or (BJP chief) Amit Shah's to attack those who are winning the election, because this is not Gujarat's tradition".

The 34-year-old is contesting the Gujarat polls from Vadagam in Banaskantha district as an independent candidate with outside support of the Congress. The constituency is reserved for SC candidates.

Confirming that a vehicle in his convoy was hit by a stone, police said that no one was injured. "A vehicle in Mevani's convoy was hit by a stone but nobody was injured. Mevani was in another vehicle. We will initiate whatever legal proceedings are required in the matter," said Banaskantha SP Niraj Badgujar.

The BJP, however, said that the party had nothing to do with the attack on Mevani's convoy.

"These are false allegations. Even our Chief Minister (Vijay Rupani) has said we should celebrate this festival of democracy (elections) in right spirit and not indulge in violence," Gujarat BJP spokesperson Jagdish Bhavsar said.

Mevani is pitted against Vijay Chakravarthi of the BJP. The seat is currently held by Manibhai Vaghela of the Congress.

The Congress had asked Vaghela not to contest from the seat "as part of an agreement" with the Dalit leader.